LI BHARY OF CONGRE SS, 






H^ 



,A( ^n 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.! 



FAMILY PRAYERS. 



FAMILY PRAYERS, 



-tr^^ 



FOR FOUR WEEKS. 



EDITED BY 



JOHN HALL, D.D., 



NEW YORK. 




;7 



^7 



: NEW YORK: 
ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH, 
No. 770 Broadway. 

Cor. of SUh Street. 
1868. 



^\(&^^ 

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Entered according to the Act of Congress in the year 18C8, 

By ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the 
Southern District of New York. 



EDWARD O. JENKINS, 
PRINTER AND STEREOTTPER, 

20 North WiUiam Street, N. Y. 



PREFACE 



T WAS led to issue some time ago a small volume 
of prayers for families, a number of which had 
been contributed by my friends of various evan- 
gelical denominations. These constitute the first- 
half of the present volume. The other half consists 
of selections — with occasional alterations and ab- 
breviations — from a small and excellent volume, 
published many years ago without any author's 
name, and now out of print. 

It is humbly trusted that this attempt to remove 
a hindrance to family religion, may, through God's 
blessing, have some success. 

It is known that many who value family prayer 
are prevented from giving this privilege to their 
households, by the want of ability to express 
themselves in what they think becoming language. 

This little book is intended to be a temporary 
help to them ; and it is hoped that a beginning 
having been made by its use, heads of families will 

(iii) 



iv PREFACE, 

soon feel themselves able to forego the aid it is in- 
tended to furnish. 

In the absence of fathers, family worship is some- 
times omitted. It is believed that mothers will thus 
be helped to keep the fire burning on the family al- 
tar. The widowed and the fatherless surelv need 
to call upon the Lord. 

Young men who are just commencing married life, 
and who are forming the character of their " home/' 
are entreated to consecrate it from tlie beginning 
by family prayer. 

Petitions, suitable in some cases, and not in others, 
are marked with brackets ; and the pi-ayers for par- 
ticular occasions at the close, will, by their very 
nature, suggest the place in the daily worship at 
which they should be used. 

Brethren ! to you, your wives and little ones, for 

whose souls' good this book has been prepared, to 

you it is dedicated, in respect and love. May the 

God of the families of all the earth bless you, help 

you in all your toils and cares, and bring you and 

yours, unbroken households, to His peaceful and 

eternal home, through Jesus Christ, and for His 

sake. 

J. H. 



PRAYERS. 



SABBATH MOENING, 

A LMIGHTY and ever blessed God, help us to 
-^-^ draw near to Thee through Jesus Christ, and 
to worship Thee in spirit and in truth. We thank 
Thee that Thou hast taken care of us during the 
night. We bless Thee for the life, and light, and 
mercies of this day. fill our hearts with grati- 
tude for Thy great goodness ; and help us to spend 
the life which Thou preservest in Thy service. 

We know that we are less than the least of all 
Thy mercies. We are unworthy of Thy great good- 
ness. We are sinners exceedingly in Thy sight. 
But we thank Thee that Thou didst send Tliy Son 
into the world to save sinners. We bless Thee 
that He died to make atonement for our sins, and 
that He ever liveth to make intercession for us. 
have mercy on our souls, for Jesus^ sake. Send 
Thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, and keep us ever 
sensible of our sinfulness and need of Christ. Help 
us to embrace Him as our Saviour, and rest on Him 
continually. May our life this day be a life of faith 
on Thy Son . Pardon all our sins for His sake. Ac- 
CD 



8 P BAYERS. 

cept of us in Him. Help us to live this day to His 
glory, and to show forth His praises. May wc 
realize His presence, and walk as seeing Thee, who 
art invisible. 

May Thy Holy Spirit dwell in our hearts, and 
make us holy, even as Thou art. Fit us for the dis- 
charge of every duty to which we may be called to- 
day, and help us to resist every temptation by which 
we may be assailed. Make Thy grace sufficient 
for us at all times, and perfect Thy strength in our 
weakness. Enable us to walk circumspectly, not as 
fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the 
days are evil, and to adorn the doctrine of God our 
Saviour in all things. 

Bless all the members of this family, according to 
their various circumstances and wants. Thouknow- 
est the spiritual condition of every one of us. Make 
those of us who are believers, living epistles of Christ. 
Help us to let our light so shine before men, that 
they may see our good works, and glorify Thee, 
our Father in heaven. Make us useful and happy 
in Christ. Enable us to commend our religion to 
all around us, by our diligence in duty, by our holy 
cheerfulness, and by our loving, kindly spirit. If 
any of us here, bowed down before Thee, are still 
without Christ, have mercy upon them. Pluck 
them as brands from the burning. Eouse tliem im- 
mediately from their carelessness. Convince them 
of the value of their souls. Lead them to flee at 
once to Jesus, and give them no rest till they have 



PRAYEBS. 9 

found peace in Him. Bless all our friends. Make 
them all the friends of Jesus, and cause all Thy dis- 
pensations to work together for their spiritual good. 
Bless the congregation to which we belong, and 
graciously revive Thy work among its members. 
Give a double portion of Thy Spirit to our pastor. 
Fill his heart with love to Christ and compassion 
for souls. Feed him with the hidden manna, that 
he may be able to give to each of us a portion in 
due season. 

Bless Thine own cause in this neighborhood. 
May pure and nndefiled religion prevail in it. May 
those who are Thy children walk more consistently, 
and be more diligent in Thy service, and more 
prayerful. Awaken the unconverted from their 
spiritual slumbers. Bless all the means of grace. 
Smile on every effort made to bring sinners to the 
Saviour, and pour out abundantly Thy Holy Spirit. 
that Thou wouldest revive Thy work on every 
side of us ! 

Bless the whole church with which we are 
connected. Make all her ministers more faithful 
and self-denying, and prayerful, and successful. 
Strengthen their hands for the great work in which 
they are engaged, and cheer their hearts by permit- 
ting them to see abundantly of the fruit of their 
labors. Bless all the congregations of our church. 
May Thy children in them all be edified, and may 
the unconverted be saved. May their oflBce-bearers 
be full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. May they 



10 PRATERS. 

be ensamples to the flock, and faithful to their trust. 
Bless all our missions and missionaries. Crown 
their labors with success, and give them many souls 
for their hire. Have pity on those of our country- 
men who are still in darkness, a,nd enlighten them. 
Take away the veil of unbelief from the minds of 
the Jews, and turn the heathen from their idols to 
serve Thee, the only living and true God. 

Bless all the churches of Thy Son. Purify every 
one of them, and send down upon them all showers 
of blessing. May grace and mercy and peace be 
multiplied to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in 
sincerity. Bless every effort made to extend the 
kingdom of Thy Son. Fill tlie whole earth with 
Thy glory, and bring all the children of men into 
subjection to King Jesus. 

And now, Father, we commend us to Thy guid- 
ance and guardianship for this day. Show us the 
path of duty in the various circumstances in which 
we may be placed, and help us to walk in it. Keep 
us from all evil, and save us from every sin ; and 
all the glory shall be Thine, through Jesus Christ, 
now and for ever. Amen. 

Our Father ivJio art in Heaven^ &g. 

SABBATH EVENING. 

f^ LORD, our heavenly Father, help us to come 
^-^ as children to Thy throne of grace. Give 
us Thy Holy Spirit, that He may teach us what to 



PRAYERS. 11 

ask and Iioav to pray. Enable us to come to Thy 
footstool in the name of Jesus. Thou art great, 
and high, and holy. We are weak, and helpless, 
and sinful. Oh, may we approach Thee in deep hu- 
mility. Thou searchest our hearts. Oh, help us to 
fix our thoughts and desires upon Thee ! 

We thank Thee, Father, for Thy kindness to 
every one of us this day. Thou hast preserved our 
lives, and protected us from danger. Thou hast 
provided for our wants, and crowned us with 
loving-kindness and tender mercies. Thou hast 
given us Thy holy word to guide us ; and Thou 
dost permit us to plead with Thee in prayer for 
all that we require, and to surround the family 
altar without any visible mark of Thy displeasure 
upon us. 

But we confess that we have been forgetful of 
Thee, and unoTateful for Thv 2'oodness. Our 
hearts have wandered from Thee. Our thoughts 
have been too much occupied with the trifles of 
time. We have not loved nor served Thee as we 
ought We have broken Thy holy law, and sinned 
against Thee. 

We rejoice that there is forgiveness with Thee, 
that Thou mayest be feared. Oh, pardon the sins 
we have committed to-day, and all our sins, for 
Jesus^ sake. Wash us in His blood. Clothe us in 
His righteousness. Santify us by His Spirit. 
Make us truly sorry for our sins, and help us to 
forsake them. Help us to love Thee more every 



12 PRATERS. 

day, and to serve Thee better. Make us like 
Christ. May every evening remind us of the night 
of death. Stir us up to meditate more on the 
eternal rest of Thy people. Fix our affections 
more and more on things above. Prepare us 
every one for death, and judgment, and immor- 
tality. Sanctify to us every dispensation of Thy 
holy providence. When Thou givest us pros- 
perity, and health, and peace, and happiness, may 
we receive them as coming from Thy gracious 
liand, and give Thee all the praise. In all our 
enjoyments may we remember, and love, and glorify 
Tliee. When Thou sendest any trial, may we re- 
ceive it as a token of Thy love, and seek that it 
may yield in us the peaceable fruit of righteous- 
ness. Oh, may our light afflictions, which are but 
for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding 
and eternal weight of glory. Draw us nearer and 
nearer to Thee. Grant that we may enjoy com- 
munion with Thee every day, and that we may 
know from blessed experience what it is to walk 
with God. Help us to live above the world, and 
let our hearts and our conversation be in Heaven. 
Bless every effort we have made this day to pro- 
mote Thy glory. Oh, make us instrumental in win- 
ning souls to Christ. 

[Bless the children in this family. Incline their 
hearts, Lord, to seek Thee early, and make them 
the lambs of Christ's fold. Give to each of them 
a new heart. May they strive to be like the holy 



P BAYERS, ]3 

child Jesus, and love Him with all their hearts. 
Keep them from sin, and preserve them from 
all evil. Bless those who are servants in this 
house. May they love and serve the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and be the objects of His redeeming love. 
Be gracious to all whom we love. May the mem- 
bers of all the families with which we are con- 
nected be members of Thy redeemed family, and 
lieirs of Thy glory.] 

Bless, Lord, all ranks and classes of men. Mav 
the poor be rich in faith ; and do Thou graciously 
supply all their wants. Teach the rich to be hum- 
ble, and to fear Thee ; and let them not trust in 
uncertain riches, but in Thee the living God. Be 
very merciful to the sick and infirm. Sanctify 
their trials ; and when Thou makest their suffer- 
ings to abound, make their consolations much more 
to abound. Be a husband to every widow, and a 
father to every orphan. Break the yoke of the op- 
pressed. Sustain and deliver all who are perse- 
cuted for righteousness' sake. Keep all who are on 
the deep waters as in the hollow of Thine hand. 
Watch over every traveller ; and be the stay, and 
the portion, and the shield of those who are stran- 
gers in strange lands. Bestow Thy Holy Spirit 
richly upon the President, and all those who have 
authority. Endue our counsellors with celestial 
wisdom ; and put Thy fear into the hearts of all our 
legislators, and rulers, and judges, and magistrates. 
Bless all the people of this land with the blessings 



14 PBAYEBS. 

of Thy salvation. Have mercy upon all lands. 
Oh, hasten the time when all the kingdoms of the 
world shall become the kingdoms of our God and of 
His Christ. . Bless all Christian missions. Bless 
the circulation of Thy holy word, and of Thy truth 
in every form. Stay the progress of error and sin ; 
and let knowledge, and righteousness, and peace, 
prevail throughout the whole world. 

xind now, Lord, we commit us to Thy special 
care for this night. Let no evil come nigh our 
dwelling. Give us the sleep of Thy beloved. If it 
be Thy holy will, raise us in health to-morrow, 
fitted for its duties. Be our sun, and shield, and 
guide us all our days and nights, and at last re- 
ceive us to Thy glory. All we ask is for Christ's 
sake ; and to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost be all 
glory and praise, now and for ever. Amen. 

MONDAY MORNING. 

OLORD, we approach Thy mercy-seat this 
morning in the name of our Great High 
Priest, in whose name alone we plead for access 
and acceptance while we worship before Thee. 

We thank Thee for the safety and rest of the 
past night ; for our safety cometh only from the 
Lord, who made the heavens and the earth. We 
thank Thee that we are all living before Thee 
this day, to enjoy together Thy goodness and Thy 
mercy. We thank Thee for one another, for our 



P BAYERS. 15 

home, for our love and fellowsliip, and for all the 
comforts of life which we enjoy together. 

We bless Thee, Lord, for our fellowship in 
the truth, for the knowledge of Thy dear Son, our 
all-sufficient Saviour, and for the light and consola- 
tion of Thy word. We bless Thee for our rela- 
tion to Thy Church, for our fellowship with Thy 
people, and for all the means of instruction and 
godly edifying so richly provided for us. We 
gratefully acknowledge Thee, our God, to be 
the unfailing Source of these, and all our other 
mercies, from day to day. We have nothing 
which we have not received ; and we bless Thee 
that we are dependent upon Thee, and that all our 
need is supplied by Thee, according to Thy riches 
in glory, by Jesus Christ. We adore Thee that 
Thou hast made all our supplies sure to us, by Thy 
covenant with Thy Son, our faithful Surety, with 
whom Thou dost freely give us all things. 

Lord, let Thy Holy Spirit take away the 
bondage of our own spirit, — the self-seeking, so 
offensive and dishonouring to Thee. Thou hast 
the rightful claim to our love, to our submission, 
and our obedience. Oh, help us by Thy all-suffi- 
cient grace, to render unto Thee all Thou claim- 
est, — to love Thee with all our heart, and with all 
our mind, and with all our soul, and with all our 
strength. Let us ever feel that loving Thee is our 
chief joy ; and let us never doubt Thy love, — that 
love of which Thou hast given such proof in that 



16 PBAYEB8, 

Thou hast not withheld from us Thy Son, but hast 
delivered Him up to the death for us all. Truly, 
Thy faithfulness hast Thou established in the very 
heavens. Lord our God, we will praise Thee 
with all our heart ; we will glorify Thy name for 
evermore, for great is Thy mercy toward us, and 
Thou hast delivered our souls from the lowest hell. 
In Thy name shall we rejoice all the day, and in 
Thy favour shall our horn be exalted. For the 
Lord is our defence, and the Holy One of Israel 
is our King. 

Lord, grant, that in loving Jesus, our love to 
one another may abound. May our hearts be knit 
together in love, that we may be helpful one to an- 
other, that we may grow up into Christ Jesus to- 
gether, taking sweet counsel together, and walking 
in the fear of the Lord. Let us ever be tender- 
hearted and kind, forbearing one another in 
love ; in all faithfulness and truth living together 
as becoDieth the gospel. Let us not bring shame 
or sorrow upon one another ; and let not any be 
ashamed for our sakes, Lord. Keep us from 
being moved away from the hope of the gospel. 
Let us be strengthened with might by Thy Spirit 
in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in our 
hearts by faith. 

[0 Lord our God, bless, we beseech Thee, the 
young of this family. Bless them with health and 
strength of body and of mind, that they may be 
fitted to serve Thee in the activities of life. Bless 



P BAYERS. 17 

to them parental love and care, that they may ren- 
der a ready and loving obedience. May Thy grace 
purify their hearts, that they may be beautified 
with Thy salvation. Make them gentle of spirit, 
tender of conscience, loving and true. May they 
understand the fear of the Lord, and find the 
knowledge of God. Oh, keep them from the evil 
that is in the world ; from the companionship of 
the ungodly ; from all fellowship with the un- 
fruitful works of darkness. Open up their way be- 
fore them to safe and useful occupations in life ; 
and enable them in their several callings, to exer- 
cise themselves to maintain consciences void of 
offence toward God and toward man.] 

Lord, lead as forth to the duties and engage- 
ments of this day in Thy fear. Enable us to do 
whatsoever we do as to the Lord, and not as unto 
men ; and do Thou bless and prosper to ourselves 
and others the work of our hands. May the path 
of duty be plain to us. May our understanding 
and judgment be clear, that no perplexities may dis- 
tract us, and that no snare may entangle us. Oh, 
let us not forget Thee inthe occupations and inter- 
course of life this day. May we ever have the 
blessed confidence that Thou art near, — our help, 
our shield, light of our countenance, and our God. 
Keep us from all willful offence, from all unkind 
words, from all guile, and from all unjust deeds. 
And as we have opportunity, may we, as the 
children of our Father, do good unto all men. 



18 PRAYERS. 

especially to tliem who are of the household of 
faith. 

Our heavenly Father, we commit ourselves with 
all our interests into Thy hands. Undertake for 
us. Glorify Thyself in us. May the Holy Spirit 
abide with us, and carry on His good work within 
us, that, walking in fellowship with Jesus, we maj^ 
this day overcome the world, and grow in meet- 
ness for the inheritance of the saints in light. 

And all we ask is for the sake of our Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ. And to the Father, and the 
Son, and the Holy Ghost, be all praise and glory 
for evermore. Amen. 

M ONDAY EVENING. 

OLORD our God, by Thy good hand upon us, 
w^e meet together at the close of another 
peaceful day. By Thy renewed kindness unto us, 
Thou hast put a new song into our mouth, even 
praise unto our God. We thank thee for our daily 
bread, for our safety and preservation, for strength 
for our daily labor, and for the measure of suc- 
cess which Thou hast granted to the works of our 
hands. 

We bless Thee for all we have seen to-day of 
Thy works and ways ; for everything which has 
reminded us of Thee, of Thy greatness and majesty, 
of Thy wisdom and power, of Thy grace and truth. 
We have been dependent upon Thee all the day ; 



FBA TERS. 19 

and, blessed be Thy name, we have not wanted any 
good thing. And Thou art crowning the day with 
Thy goodness, in granting us the quiet of the eve- 
ning, the refreshing of the holy word, and the 
solemn exercise of prayer. 

Lord, Thou hast bestowed upon us many com- 
forts ; oh, that we were more thankful ! But we 
have been more prone to repine at our privations 
and crosses, than to rejoice in our comforts. We 
have been impatient under trial, and have been 
tempted to envy the more prosperous condition of 
others. We have allowed the world to occupy an 
undue place in our desires, as if our life consisted 
in the abundance of the things which we possess. 
We have opened our minds to the entrance of cov- 
etousness, and have suffered ourselves to be fretted 
with cares, and anxieties, and troubles of this life. 
Alas ! the most precious gifts and blessings in our 
possession have been lightly regarded, because of 
our sinful longing after things which Thou hast in 
Thy sovereign wisdom withheld. AYe have been 
oppressed with fears and apprehensions of the fu- 
ture. We have forgotten to look forward in the 
light of the promises, and we have mistrusted Thy 
faithfulness. We have looked so much to the 
things which are seen and temporal, as to mar our 
enjoyment of the things which are unseen and 
eternal. 

O our Father, we would humble ourselves for 
these tilings. We have dishonored Thee, by 



20 P HATERS. 

seeking that satisfaction in the creature, which is 
only to be found in Thyself. Oh, forgive these our 
offences against Thee for Jesus' sake : create within 
us clean hearts, and let the spirit of offence be cast 
out. Teach us to submit ourselves to Thy chasten- 
ings, believing Thy love in them all. Thou hast 
given us Christ, and in Him eternal life. Oh, how 
can wo think Thou wouldst withhold from us any- 
thing else if it were good for us ! Lord, let us not 
choose for ourselves. Choose Thou for us in Thy 
wisdom and love, and let our hearts approve Thy 
choice. Be Thou our portion, our light, and our 
joy in Christ Jesus. Help us ever watchfully to 
cherish a meek and quiet spirit, ever looking unto 
Him who was meek and lowly of heart, that we 
may find rest unto our souls. 

May Thy Holy Spirit ever abide within us, that 
He may keep us steadfast in faith, that we may not 
be moved away from the hope of the gospel which 
we have heard. May He ever show us more of the 
suflBciency and excellency of Christ our Saviour, 
that He may become evermore the satisfaction and 
joy of our hearts. We rest only upon Jesus for 
our acceptance with Thee, that we may be justified 
freely by Thy grace, through the redemption that 
is in Him. Oh, let us never be ashamed to confess 
Him before men. Let us not shun the reproach of 
Christ, nor fear to suffer shame for His name. Let 
us not prefer our own ease or wordly comfort, 
when he claims our service, and asks us to take 



PRATERS. 21 

up any cross for His sake. Help us to cheer 
and encourage one another in every self-denying 
Tvork for Him. Let none of our number hold back 
or turn aside ; but let us all go hand in hand in 
our covenant of love, to be faithful witnesses for 
Him who hath given Himself for us. In the abound- 
ing of iniquity, let not our love wax cold. Lord, 
quicken us after Thy loving-kin^dness, that we may 
keep the testimony of Thy mouth. 

Heavenly Father, we commit ourselves to Thy 
kind and watchful care this night. Eefresh us with 
rest and sleep, and let the light of a new morn- 
ing shine upon us in peace. And to Thee shall be 
the praise and the glory for ever, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

TUESDAY MORNING. 

/^ LORD our God, we come to Thee this morn- 
^--^ ing as children to a father, able and willing 
to help us. Do Thou enable us to come in an ac. 
ceptable manner through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 
and teach us by Thy Spirit how we should pray to 
Thee aright. 

We acknowledge that it is in Thee we live and 
move and have our being, and that we are indebted 
to Thee for every good thing. We thank Thee 
for the mercies of the past night ; the quiet and 
peaceful rest we have enjoyed ; the protection 
granted us from danger, accident, disease, and 



22 PEA TUBS. 

death. We bless Thee for the favors of the 
morning, the light of another day, the health of our 
bodies, the renewed vigor and energy of our minds, 
the food of which we have partakeu, and the riches 
of domestic happiness. 

We praise Thee for the numerous privileges, both 
temporal and spiritual, bestowed on us in this fa- 
vored land, the civil liberty possessed by all 
classes, freedom to worship God according to our 
conscience, just and wise laws, able and upright 
rulers, abundance of peace enabling us to dwell 
undisturbed in quiet habitations, the benefits of 
education and knowledge ; and, above all, the 
blessing of a pure gospel, that everlasting life is 
proclaimed to us in Thy word, and by Thy minis- 
ters, through faith in a crucified Saviour. Al- 
though we have many troubles, yet must we thank- 
fully acknowledge that the lines have fallen to us 
in pleasant places, and we have a goodly heritage. 

We are not worthy, Lord, of the least of these 
mercies. We are sinful creatures, and our sins are 
very many and very great. We are by nature dead 
in trespasses and sins, and children of wrath as 
others. Instead of Thy favor we justly deserve 
Thy displeasure. But Thou art full of mercy : Thou 
dost not delight in the death of a sinner. Thou hast 
so loved us as to give Thine only-begotten Son, that 
whosoever believeth in Him might not perish. We 
praise Thee that He bore our sins and carried our 
sorrows ; that He was wounded for our transgres- 



PBAYEB8. 23 

sions, and bruised for our iniquities ; and that He 
is able to save to the uttermost all that come to 
God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make inter- 
cession for them. And now, Lord, for His sake 
have mercy upon us. We pray for pardon because 
we need it so much ; our iniquity is so very great. 
We trust we shall be forgiven through the merits 
of our Lord, and sprinkled with that blood that 
cleanseth from all sin. 

Be pleased, also, Lord, to sanctify us by Thy 
Spirit. We are corrupt as well as guiltj^ We are 
prone to do evil ; when we would do good, evil is 
present with us. Oh, deliver us from this bondage 
of corruption. Purge us with hyssop, and we shall 
be clean ; wash us and we shall be whiter than 
snow. Mortify our flesh, with its affections and 
lusts. And, specially, this day watch over us, and 
deliver us from temptation. 

Lord, preserve us from covetousness, which is 
idolatry. May we lift our affections from things 
below, and set them on things above. May we 
count it more blessed to give than to receive. Give 
us our daily bread, and make us content with such 
things as we have. Set a watch before our mouths ; 
keep the door of our lips. Incline not our heart to 
any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men 
that work iniquity. Preserve us from rioting and 
drunkenness, and being in any other way partakers 
of other men's sins. Keep us pure from slander, 
and malice, and fleshly lusts, that war against the 



24 PRAYERS. 

soul. May Satan this day in no way triumph over 
us ; but, blessed Lord, make Thy grace sufficient for 
us, and perfect Thy strength in our weakness ; so 
shall we be glad and rejoice before Thee all the day 
long. 

All other things we stand in need of we humbly 
beg in the name of the Lord Jesus, to whom, with 
the Father and the Holy Spirit, we ascribe the 
kingdom, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

TUESDAY EVENING. 

/^UR Father which art in heaven, at the close 
^-^ of another day we draw nigh to Thee in our 
evening family prayer. We desire to approach 
Thee with a true heart in full assurance of faith, 
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, 
and our bodies washed with pure water. 

We have again to deplore our continued sinfulness. 
Notwithstanding frequent and repeated resolutions 
for good, we have often done this day, in thought, 
word, and deed, what we ought not to have done, 
and we have left undone what we ought to have 
done. We have not loved Thee with all our soul, 
and strength, and mind, nor have we loved our 
neighbor as ourselves. It is known to Thee only, 
God, how far we have each one erred and strayed 
from Thy ways. How merciful and long-suffering 
hast Thou been, not merely to spare our lives, but, 
notwithstanding our ingratitude and rebellion, to 



PBATEBS, 25 

crown us with loYing-kiudnGss and tender mercies, 
and to open Thine hand liberally to supply all our 
wants ! Eighteousness belongeth unto Thee, 
Lord, but unto us confusion of face. Lay not, we 
beseech Thee, these sins to our charge, but, merciful 
Father, take them all away in the blood of the 
Lamb ; and ere we lay down our heads on our pil- 
lows to-night, may we have a sweet sense of Thy 
favor, an assurance that our sins are really put 
away for ever, and that united to the Lord Jesus, 
our souls are saved with an everlasting salvation. 

[Bless, we beseech Thee, our beloved children. 
Keep them in health of body ; but, above all, may 
their souls prosper and be in health. Teach them 
to love the Saviour, who said, "Suffer little children 
to come unto Me.'^ May they, from their earliest 
years, take Him to be their Master and Friend, and 
ever follow in His steps. Preserve them from 
the evil that is in the world. As they grow in 
years, may they grow in grace ; and, finally, may 
they be Thine in that day Avhen Thou makest up 
Thy jewels.] 

[Bless those who help in this house. Teach us to 
deal justly towards them ; and may they deal justly 
towards us. Let them not do their work with eye- 
service, as men-pleasers ; but as the servants of 
Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.] 

Establish the work of our hands. May it prosper, 
as far as Thou seest it is for our good. Teach us 
in prosperity rightly to rejoice, and in adversity to 



26 PRATEBS, 

consider. Let us not be over-anxious about any- 
thing ; but in every thing, by prayer and supplica- 
tion with thanksgiving, help us to make our requests 
known to God. And- may the peace of God that 
passeth all understanding keep our hearts and minds 
through Christ Jesus. 

Bless our neighbors ; promote among them and us 
a spirit of kindness and brotherly love. If any of 
them are at enmity with us, be pleased to remove 
that enmity. If we have done them wrong, enable 
us to confess it, and make restitution ; if they have 
done us wrong, may we be ready to forgive, as God 
for Christ^s sake has forgiven us. 

Bless the Church universal, and all, in every place, 
that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. May Thy 
ministers be men of earnestness and piety ; Thine 
elders and other oflBce-bearers, men that fear Thee 
and hate covetousness, filled with the Holy Ghost ; 
and may Thy people shine as lights ir the world, 
holding forth the Avord of life. 

Eemember in mercy our beloved country. Guide 
and bless the President, all judges, legislators and 
civil oSicers, that we may lead quiet and peaceable 
lives in all godliness and honesty. Restrain wicked 
and ungodly men among us. Put an end to drunk- 
enness, Sabbath-breaking, swearing, and other vices, 
on account of which the land mourneth. Destroy 
superstition and ignorance ; and may Thy word find 
an entrance into every family and every heart. 
Have pity upon the heathen world. Send forth 



PEA TEES. 27 

laborers unto this great harvest. And may the 
day soon come when all the kingdoms of the world 
sliall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His 
Christ. 

We now commit ourselves to Thy care for the 
night. If we are spared to the morning, may we 
rise refreshed to renew our daily work. If any of 
us should be removed before the morning light, may 
we be prepared to die, and may we enter upon the 
rest that remaineth for the people of God. 

Our Father which art in heaven^ etc, 

WEDNESDAY MORNING. 

A LMIGHTY and everlasting God, we lift our 
-^-^ souls to Thee in the morning^ of a new dav. 
Another night has passed, and Thou hast watched 
over us for good through it. We laid ourselves 
down, and now we have risen again in safety, health, 
and peace. Each of us would say : '' Bless the Lord, 
my soul ; and all that is within me bless His holy 
name." 

Our bodies and our minds are refreshed by the 
night^s rest. Grant, Lord, that we may be strength- 
ened with might by Thy Spirit in the inner man. 
While the sun of nature brings light to the world, 
grant, we beseech Thee, that the beams of the Sun 
of Righteousness may gladden our souls, and chase 
away all unbelief and sin. Make us always to live 
as those who are the children of the day, casting 



28 PRAYEB8. 

oflf the works of darkness and putting on the armor 
of light. 

God of mercy, many of Thy creatures are, 
about this time, rising from their night^s rest, and 
going forth to the engagements of another day. Do 
Thou awaken them to righteousness ; may they be 
delivered from the power of darkness, and be trans- 
lated into the kingdom of Thy dear Son ; and may 
the whole of the human race, from east to west, and 
from north to south, soon be made to hear and obey 
Thy voice, saying to them : ''Awake, thou that sleep- 
est, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give 
thee light/' And Lord, grant that we may truly 
hear and obey that voice ourselves. 

Lord, Thou knowest the end from the begin- 
ning, but we know not what a day may bring forth. 
Indeed, so ignorant are we of the future, that we 
cannot tell at the beginning of one hour what shall 
take place before the end of it. We do know 
some of the wants we shall have to-day, and some 
of the works we must do to-day. Oh, our heavenly 
Father, give us this day, in all respects, " our daily 
bread.'' Supply our wants, and make us diligent in 
business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Pre- 
pare us for the things that shall unexpectedly come 
upon us. Make us watchful and prayerful. Grant 
us a clear knowledge of duty in every case ; and 
may we have a heart forward and strong in Thy 
strength to do it. Blessed God, we beseech Thee 
to have Thine eye upon us, and Thy hand with us, 



PRAYERS. 29 

to guard us, to guide us, to sustain us, to comfort 
us, and to give us good success this day. From all 
the evil that is about us, and from all the evil that 
is within us, keep us by Thy own power. Enable 
us so to conduct ourselves that we may adorn the 
doctrine of God our Saviour. 

Thou who art rich in mercy, and who dost de- 
light in mercy, we commit ourselves to Thee. Bap- 
tize us with Thy Holy Spirit, and make this day a 
day of blessing to us all, for the sake of Jesus Christ, 
our only Lord and Saviour. Amen. 

WEDNESDAY EVENING. 

OLORD GOD, enable us to worship Thee with 
reverence and godly fear, and with lively 
confidence and holy joy, according to Thy word. 

Thou art very great and very good. Lord, Thou 
art not far from every one of us ; for in thee we live, 
and move, and have our being. Make us to believe 
Thy greatness and Thy goodness, as shown by Thy 
providential care and bounty continually. Especially 
make us to know Thee better as Thou makest Thy- 
self known to us in Thy holy word. And oh, give 
us always a deepfelt sense of Thy presence with us. 

We now humbly approach Thy footstool, bringing 
to Thee our poor sacrifice of thanksgiving for the 
mercies of another day. They are many and great, 
and we value them the more because they all come 
from Thy fatherly kindness to us. Lord, we do not 



30 PMAYEM8. 

deserve the least of them, for there has been much 
in us this day offensive to Thee ; and but for Thy 
patience and long-suffering towards us, Thou 
wouldst have cut us down, and cast us out. Tor 
Thy name's sake, pardon our iniquity. We would 
not let the day close, Lord, without the sprinkling 
of that precious blood which cleanseth from all sin, 
or without again praising Thee for the fountain 
which Thou hast opened for sin and for unclean- 
ness. 

God, we are about to take our night's sleep. 
Wearied with the day's work, we need the repose 
which Thou hast appointed for our good. Thou 
givest Thy beloved sleep ; but Thou dost never 
slumber. As the Shepherd of Israel, Thou art always 
awake, and aware of all that is going on through 
the night, as well as in the day. Lord, keep us and 
our house, and all that belong to us, this night. 
When we wake, may our first thoughts be towards 
Thee, and may the clear light of Thy love in Christ 
Jesus be shining on our hearts. 

our gracious God, Thy tender mercies are over 
all Thy works. Thou art the God of all the families 
of the earth. Thou hast opened wide the stores of 
Thy wonderful mercy to sinners of mankind, and 
art calling them to come to Thy throne of grace 
and be filled from Thy fulness. We pray that Thou 
wilt bless others as well as ourselves. Bring our 
relations, our friends, our neighbors, yea, all per- 
sons in our country, and in the world, to know Thee, 



PRATERS. 31 

and to rest in Thy love. Let Thy blessing come 
upon our President, his family, liis counsellors, and 
all this Republic. Continue to us the blessing of 
peace at home, and give us safety abroad, and as 
much prosperity as is for Thy glory. And we 
beseech Thee to pity and relieve the sick and the 
suJBfering, the bereaved and the destitute, and those 
who are in any other trouble. 

Lord, hear us when we thus call upon Thee, and 
accept us according to the riches of Thy glory, 
througli our one Mediator and Advocate, Jesus 
Christ, Thy Son, and to Thee, in Him, shall be the 
praise for ever. Amen. 

THURSDAY M GRISTING. 

OLORD, the God of the families of Israel, we 
are met at the family altar, in Thy gracious 
providence, to offer to Thee our morning sacrifice, in 
the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Accept our thanksgiving for the rest of the night, 
the refreshment of sleep, the safety and peace vouch- 
safed to our household, the raiment with which we 
are clothed, the food provided for us, and all the 
other temporal blessings bountifully bestowed upon 
us. Enable us to receive them all as the purchase of 
the Saviour's love, bearing the marks of His precious 
blood, and granted to His believing people as the 
portion secured for them in the everlasting cove- 
nant, ordered in all things and sure. Thus may we 



82 PRAYERS. 

not only enjoy these blessings, but enjoy Jesus in 
them, having fellowship with Him in the participa- 
tion of them, and accounting them so many tokens 
of His love. 

Still more, we thank and praise Thee for our 
spiritual privileges. Thou hast raised us up, not 
only in health of body, but in soundness of mind. 
Thou hast provided not merely the bread that 
perisheth, for the sustenance of our mortal bodies, 
but the richer food of the word, bringing to us the 
bread of life and the water of life, that our souls 
may be nourished and strengthened. Grant, Lord, 
that we may be duly sensible of the obligation that 
is laid upon us, to devote our bodies and souls to 
Thee and Thy service. Especially may we feel the 
claims of redeeming love. Help us to feel the justice 
of Thy claim, wherein Thou hast said unto us, " Ye 
are not your own, ye are bought with a price ; 
therefore glorify God in your body and spirit, 
which are His.^^ 

Going forth in this spirit, may we hear the voice 
of Christ saying to us, ^' Occupy till I come.'' May 
we engage in every duty as being due and rendered 
to Him. So may we employ our time, and talents, and 
opportunities as His servants. Give us grace to 
remember the injunction and obey it : " Whether ye 
eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory 
of God.'' May we be faithful in all our relative 
duties, as husbands or wives, parents or children, 
brothers or sisters, masters or servants, neighbors 



PRAYERS. 33 

or friends. In everything that we are called, either 
to do or suffer, may we have grace to sanctify the 
Lord God in our hearts always. May we do it heart- 
ily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men. Keep us 
out of temptation by Thy adorable providence ; or 
if we are exposed to it, may we find that God is 
faithful, and will not suffer us to be tempted above 
what we are able to bear. 

Help us in every lawful undertaking, and prosper 
our labors. May we wisely and truly fill the place 
assigned to us ; may we be blessed in it, and made 
a blessing. Help us to walk with God, and 
remember that we are pilgrims and strangers here. 
May we serve our day and generation by the will 
of God, and so, when we fall asleep in Jesus, may 
we be with the Lord. We beseech Thee to grant 
us these blessings for the sake of Christ our Saviour. 
Amen. 

THURSDAY EVENING. 

"OLESSED FATHER! another day is hastening 
■^^ to a close. Lord, grant that we may be duly 
impressed with this thought. Our actions, and 
words, and thoughts, our purposes, aud desires, and 
motives, and anxieties, are all before Thee. God, 
Thou hast seen the evil that is in them. We confess 
our sinfulness. We cannot justify ourselves in Thy 
sight. Lord, wash us and all our services in the 
fountain of Christ's blood. At our best state we 
2^ 



34 FBA TUBS. 

are vanity. We have come short of Thy glory. 
Lord, forgive us, and accept us in the Beloved. 
Then shall we lie down in peace, and take quiet 
sleep under the gracious care of our heavenly 
Father. 

Yet, ere we retire for rest, hear our acknowledg- 
ments of Thv 2:race and goodness toward us throuirh- 
out the day. Thou didst bear with us, though un- 
worthy and unfaithful. Thou didst enable us to 
prosecute our earthly calling, though, alas, how 
little have we done in it for Thee ! Thou hast kept 
us from many dangers, seen and unseen, however 
unmindful we have been of Thee and Thine. Thou 
hast continued our opportunities of doing and receiv- 
ing good, though we did not improve them as we 
ought to have done. We can make mention of Thy 
righteousness, even of Thine only. Whatever our 
attainments or labors may have been, we lay them 
all at the foot of the Cross. Jesus only is worthy. 
We cast the crown of blessings, wherewith Thou 
hast blessed us, before the throne, and the Lamb 
who sits upon it. For His sake, we beseech Thee 
to accept our services, unworthy as they are in them- 
selves. May our folly be thus made wisdom, and 
our weakness strength. Whatever we were enabled 
to do, in harmony with Thy will, may it be accepted, 
and blessed, and prospered. 

Oh, let not the day close without some benefit to 
ourselves and others. Forbid that it should ever 
be found that we had lived this day in vain. Rather 



PJRATEBS. 35 

may tlie words we spoke, and the actions we per- 
formed, prove to be seeds of truth and righteousness, 
which shall grow and bring forth fruit abundantly. 
May our lives be so spent, that when we die it may 
be truly said of us, ''Blessed are the dead which die 
in tlie Lord : yea, saith the Spirit, they rest from 
their labors, and their works do follow them." Xow 
and then may it be given us to say, '' To me to live 
is Christ, and to die is gain.'' Living or dying may 
we be the Lord's. 

And while we thus pray for ourselves, we would 
not be unmindful of others. Bless, Lord, our rela- 
tions and friends. May they be friends of Jesus. 
Bless the sick and afflicted : comfort and counsel 
them. Bless the widow and the orphan : protect 
and provide for them. Bless the dying, and ripen 
them for heavenly rest. Bless the ministers of Thy 
word, the missionaries of the Cross, and the teach- 
ers of the young, and the rulers of our o^vn and 
other lands. Bless the President of the L^nited 
States, the legislators and all the judges of the land. 
Bless all the people, and may they lead peaceable 
and quiet lives in all godliness and honesty. These 
and all other blessings we ask for Jesus' sake. 
Amen. 



o 



FRIDAY :M O R X I X G . 

ETERX AL. Almia-htv. and most eracious God. 
the Giver of every good and perfect gift, we 



36 PRATERS, 

bless and thank Thee for Thy love, and that Thou 
hast kept us through the night, and refreshed us 
with sleep, that Thou hast sustained and awakened 
us, and brought us to the beginning of another day. 
We thank Thee for our life, and that we are spared 
to enjoy it ; for the ties that knit us together in our 
household, and that Thou hast preserved them un- 
broken ; for our unity, peace, and concord. We 
thank Thee that we not only have fellowship one 
with another, but with the Father and the Son ; 
that we know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus 
Christ whom Thou hast sent ; that Thy word is a 
lamp to our feet and a light to our path, and that 
Thy Spirit is sent to lead us into all truth. And 
we worship Thee, God, holy, blessed, and glori- 
ous Trinity, and magnify Thy name, and bow down 
with reverence before Thy glory. 

Lord, keep us from sinning against Thee this day. 
May Christ, the Light of the world, lighten our 
darkness, and scatter the evil thoughts and desires 
that trouble and tempt us. May Christ, the Day- 
spring from on high, who through the tender mercy 
of our God hath visited His people, visit us whom 
He hath so greatly blessed, and sustain us in the 
knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins. 
May Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, shine into our 
souls, heal us, and give us peace. 

Father, purify our hearts by the continual work 
of the Holy Ghost, and grant us clearer knowledge 
and heartier love for Thee. We have often suffered 



PEA YE as, 37 

evil to darken our minds ; and we have often loved 
the world, and the things of the world, and ourselves, 
before Thee ; and Thou hast borne with us in infi- 
nite compassion and forbearance, and hast not taken 
Thy Holy Spirit from us. "Wherefore we beseech 
Thee, by Thy mercy in Christ Jesus, create in us a 
clean heart, God, and renew a right spirit within 
us, that we may worthily walk in Thy ways. Pre- 
vent us from strife, from hasty and angry words, 
from quick retort, from harsh and uncharitable say- 
ings. Deliver us from a stubborn and unforgiving 
temper, from malice towards any, from unkindness 
and unthankfulness, from impatience and obstinacy. 
Suffer us not to fall under any besetting sin, nor to 
yield to our infirmities, nor to give place to the 
devil. Keep us from all deceit and hypocrisy in 
life or thought or word, from a vain and foolish 
spirit, from lust and passion, from prejudice, from 
envy, and from discontent. Preserve us from the 
pressure of business, and the hollowness of a worldly 
life, and the fretting of care ; and grant that neither 
the cares of this life, nor the deceitfulness of riches, 
may choke the good seed of Thy word within us. 
As Thou hatest sin with an infinite hatred, grant us 
to hate the sinfulness of our hearts ; and as Thou 
hast yet loved us in Jesus Christ Thy Son, and dost 
wash us from our sins in His blood, grant us to live 
this day by faith in Him in whom we have redemp- 
tion, and who by His sacrifice of Himself hath 
opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. 



38 PRAYERS, 

Almighty God, our Refuge and Strength, and the 
Helper and Comforter of Thy people, help and 
strengthen ns this day for every good word and 
work, and comfort ns in all trouble by the sense of 
Thine unchangeable love, and of Thy presence with 
them that seek Thee. Pit us for every duty, that 
we may do it faithfully and thoroughly. May both 
master and servant remember that we serve a Master 
in heaven ; that all service, the highest and the low- 
est, is alike to Thee ; that in Thy household we are 
all members one of another. May children obey 
their parents in all things, and may no parents pro- 
voke their children to wrath. Bless our country 
and our President. Grant us wise and righteous 
laws. May our commerce and our polity manifest 
the fear of God and the love of His truth. May 
we be preserved from war, and may our rulers re- 
member that we are all Thy stewards. 

God our Pather, keep watch over us, and over 
our beloved kindred and our friends. Help them 
and help us to remember that we are pilgrims and 
strangers here ; that Thy grace is sufficient for us ; 
and that we walk not by sight, but by faith, and 
ever looking unto Jesus, in whose name we plead 
with Thee. 

Our Father which art in heaven^ etc. 



PEAYEMS, 39 

FRIDAY EVENIXG. 

A LMIGHTY and most merciful God, the Father 
-^^ of om^ Lord Jesus Christ, and our Father, we 
thank Thee for all Thy love and goodness, and we 
praise Thee and worship Thee, the Father everlast- 
ing. Though Thou dwellest in light that is inac- 
cessible and full of glory, we know Thou carest for 
us, and that Thy thoughts are towards us. Wc 
know Thy holiness, and Thy power and Thy divine 
majesty ; but we know Thee through Jesus Christ, 
whom Thou hast sent, and that Thou art not far from 
any one of ns, but like as a fatlier Thou dost pity 
us, and knowest our frame, and rememberest that 
we are dust. We beseech Thee, who dwellest in 
the heaven of heavens, to hear us when we pray. 

Thou hast helped and strengthened us this day ; 
Thou hast given us food and raiment, health and 
happiness ; Thou hast guarded our homes, kept us 
from sickness, and led us in safety among a thousand 
unseen perils. Thou hast taken many difficulties 
out of our way, cleared up many perplexities, lifted 
Thy light on our darkness, encouraged us by Thy 
word, assisted us by Thy grace, and hast now 
brought us in safety to the evening. We thank 
Thee, God ; and we thank Thee above all for 
Thy dear Son, that we have all these blessings for 
His sake, and that He is the propitiation for our 
sins, and that He ever liveth to make intercession 
for us. 



40 PBAYEB8. 

We beseech Thee, Father, for His sake, who is 
our merciful, and patient, and sufficient Saviour, 
that Thou wilt forgive us our wrong-doing and 
wrong-thinking, our negligence and ignorance, and 
all our faults. If Thou wert only strict to mark 
iniquity we could not come before Thee ; for our in- 
iquities are countless and grievous, and Thou abhor- 
rest and punishest sin, and we know Thou art just. 
We come to Thee for pardon. We have done little 
of what we hoped, and we have done it ill. We 
have fallen into temptation; we have yielded to 
self-will ; we have been weak where we thought we 
were strong. 

Tor what angry words have escaped our lips — for 
our moments of heat and passion — for our ungener- 
ous thoughts — for our carelessness of duty — for our 
desire of praise and our readiness to blame — for our 
love of tlie world and our lust of the flesh — for our 
neglect of Thy word and our dullness to the voice of 
Christ — we beseech Thee to forgive us. If we have 
wronged or defrauded our neighbor ; if we have 
been wronged aud have not forgiven ; if we have 
been intolerant or unmerciful ; if we have cherished 
any secret sin or dishonored Thee by any public 
act ; if we have not confessed Christ, but have been 
ashamed of His gospel ; if we have not followed 
Him, but only our own way, — God, pardon us. 
Have mercy upon us, God, according to Thy 
loving-kindness ; according to the multitude of Thy 
tender mercies blot out our transgressions. Remem- 



PBAYEBS, 41 

ber not the sins of our youth : according to Thy 
mercy remember Thou us, for Thy goodness' sake, 
Lord. Wash us thoroughly from our iniquity, and 
cleanse us from our sin. 

We come to Thee believing Thy word, and that 
if we confess our sins Thou art faithful and just to 
forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all un- 
righteousness. Help us to believe in the great 
sacrifice of Christ our Passover, and that we have 
redemption through His blood. Help us to conceive 
of Thy holiness. And while we pray Thee for Thy 
grace to strengthen us against temptation and an 
evil heart of unbelief, we thank Thee for whatever 
good we have done this day, for every sin we have con- 
quered, for every happy thought, and for the witness 
Thy Spirit beareth with our spirits that we are Thy 
children. 

We carry thy treasure in earthen vessels, Lord ; 
sanctify us and preserve it from soil and sin. We 
are weak and helpless, and our trials and infirmities 
are many ; but we look with all confidence to Thee, 
and pray that Thou wilt keep us in communion with 
Thee, that we may trust Thee, and love Thee as our 
Father. 

We commit ourselves with all our house to Thy 
holy keeping, to lay us down in peace and sleep, for 
Thou only makest us to dwell safely. Watch over 
us, God, in the night, and be Thou our light in 
its darkness, and take us under the shadow of Thy 
wings. Be merciful to the sick, comfort the sorrowful, 



42 PEA TUBS, 

uphold the dying, and bestow Thy peace upon the 
bereayed. Deliver the anxious from the burden of 
care, and hear the cry of Thy children lifted up to 
Thee over all the earth. And when the night is 
gone, awake us, if it be Thy good and loving will ; 
and if we wake not here, may we awake in Thy 
glory, and in the likeness of Jesus Christ, our Med- 
iator and Eedeemer. Amen. 

SATURDAY MORNING. 

TT^TERNAL GOD ! with deep humiliation we 
^-^ would this morning bow before Thy throne of 
grace. Thou art infinitely great and good. Thou 
art worthy of the adoration of all Thy creatures, for 
Thou art possessed of boundless knowledge, unlim- 
ited power, unerring wisdom and infinite goodness. 

We rejoice that Thou art a God of mercy, and 
that Thou delightest to receive and pardon the 
vilest and the guiltiest who come to Thee through 
Christ in penitence and prayer. In the name of 
Christ we now approach and bend around the 
family altar. In that name alone would we ever be 
found addressing our prayers to Thee. We would 
not come in our own name. We dare not speak of 
any righteousness of our own, for we feel and con- 
fess that we have been great sinners. But we rejoice 
that even for such as we are, a great salvation has 
been provided. 

We praise and bless Thee, God, that Thou 



PRAYERS. 43 

didst so love the world as to give Thine only-begot- 
ten and well-beloved Son, that He might come down 
to this world, and by His obedience unto death, 
procure a full pardon and a free salvation for all 
who should believe on His name. 

We earnestly plead that for His sake Thou wilt 
grant to us the forgiveness of our sins. Be pleased, 
Lord, of Thy great compassion to blot them all 
out of the book of Thv remembrance, and to write 
all our names in Thy book of life. 

Grant that by Thy Holy Spirit enlightening us, 
we may clearly understand the truth which Thou 
hast taught us in the Holy Scriptures. Enable us 
to see the suitableness and sufficiency of Christ as 
our Saviour. Implant in us all that faith which 
unites the soul to Christ. Grant that by the Holy 
Ghost, we may so believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, 
that to us there shall be no condemnation, and that 
we shall have present and perfect peace. 

our Father, accept in Christ's name our grate- 
ful thanks for all Thy kindness and care manifested 
toward us through the past night. "We bless Thee 
that, while others were tossing on beds of pain and 
sickness, we slept ; and while they are this day con- 
fined to chambers of afiSiction, we are permitted to 
assemble here with much comfort. 

We have not deserved the least of Thy blessings, 
yet they have been great and manifold. Accept, 
our Father, our grateful thanks. 

Permit us also to plead for dear friends who may 



44 PBATEB8, 

be in sickness or in affliction. Be pleased to relieve 
them from suffering. Restore them to health. 
Sanctify to them their afflictions. 

Entering on the duties of another day, we com- 
mit us to Thy kind care. Preserve us, we pray 
Thee, from all dangers. Keep us in the hour of 
temptation. Give us grace diligently and faithfully 
to perform our duties, and to walk before Thee in 
holy fear, and with loving hearts, as Thy dear 
children. 

We will now ascribe unto Thee, Father, Son, and 
Holy Ghost, all honor and glory for ever. Amen. 

SATURDAY EVENING. 

A T the close of another day, having been pre- 
-^-^ served by Thy good providence, we unite to 
worship Thee, with humble and grateful hearts. 
All the day long Thou hast watched over us, and 
therefore it is that we are here, the living, to praise 
Thee. We bless Thee for all our temporal mercies. 
We thank Thee for that precious word of Thine we 
have just been reading, and for the wondrous reve- 
lation it contains of Thine infinite love to lost sin- 
ners. 

We thank Thee, God, that the way of salvation 
is so clearly made known to us. We rejoice that 
when we could not by any works or worth of ours 
save our own souls, or deliver a brother, Jesus 
Christ came down to earth and took on Him our 



PBATEBS. 45 

nature, and was made in the likeness of man, that 
He might redeem us from eternal death. A¥e bless 
Thee, God, that of Thy sovereign grace Thou 
didst permit a Substitute to stand in our place. We 
thank Thee that of Thine infinite love Thou didst 
Thyself provide that Surety in the person of Thy 
dear Son, and didst lay on Him the iniquities of us 
all. 

We thank Thee now, and will ever thank Thee, 
that when we deserved to die. Thou didst draw Thy 
sword '^against the man that was Thy fellow,^^ and 
that His life-blood was shed on Calvary to purchase 
life for us. 

We earnestly pray that that blood may be applied 
to each of us, so that we may know experimentally 
that it cleanseth from all sin. Our sins and short- 
comings this day have been very many. We have 
all offended Thee our Father ; but we ask for mercy. 
We plead that these offences and sins may be all 
removed, and that we, washed in the blood of the 
Lamb, and clothed in the white robes of His right- 
eousness, may be numbered this night amongst Thy 
redeemed, justified, and adopted children. 

Grant also that Thy Holy Spirit may be given to 
us to abide in us continually. We entreat that we 
may be so eolightened and sanctified by the Holy 
Ghost, that we shall have clear evidence of our be- 
ing regenerated children of God, and heirs of eternal 
glory. 

Help us, Lord, by Thy Spirit, ever to live as 



46 PBAYEB8, 

Thy children, aniroated by love to Thee, and rejoic- 
ing in the hope of entering at last into the full enjoy- 
ment of the redeemed around Thy throne. 

Take ns this night under Thy fatherly care. Give 
us refreshing rest, and while we sleep watch over 
us. We are brought to the end of another week, 
and to the eve of the day of holy rest. Prepare us 
for it both in body and in spirit. May we have 
grace to lay aside the cares of our life, as we lay 
aside its toils, that we may hold a day's fellowship 
with Thee, the father of our spirits. 

Visit, we pray Thee, those who are in affliction. 
Bless abundantly our dear friends. Favor this land, 
and grant us continued peace and prosperity. Give 
wisdom to the chief magistrate, and to all in au- 
thority. Bless in large measure the Church of 
Christ. Bless her ministers and members. Increase 
her purity and zeal. Extend her borders till she 
fill the whole earth, and one song of praise shall 
ascend to Thee from all lands. 

Hear and accept of us in Christ, and to Thy name 
shall be all the praise for ever. 

Out Father ivhicli art in heaven^ etc, 

SABBATH MORNING. 

OLORD, most blessed and most holy, our Crea- 
tor and the God of our salvation, we thank 
Thee that, after another week's labors, we are 
brought in Thy kind providence to the day of holy 



PBAYER8, 47 

rest. May the Holy Ghost so work in us this day 
that our hearts shall be in harmony with the day, 
and the holy objects to which it is devoted. 

We give Thee thanks for last night's sleep. We 
praise Thee that we are in sufficient health to enter 
upon the enjoyment of gospel privileges. We bless 
Thee for giving them unto us. Thou hast sent us 
the inspired word that instructs us. May we read 
it and hear it preached with meek and teachable 
spirits. Thou hast given us the ministry of the 
word and the house of prayer. Give us also, we 
beseech Thee, the help of the Holy Ghost, that we 
may worship Thee in spirit and in truth. 

God, we cannot tell how soon our day of grace 
may end. Let none of us remain without a new 
heart and a right spirit. Thou hast taught us that, 
except we be converted and become as little child- 
ren, we cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. 
May every one of us, being converted unto Thee, 
have, through the Lord our Righteousness, a title to 
everlasting life. May we all, according to our need, 
receive from the fulness of Jesus Christ, so that we 
may be satisfied in our souls from Him. 

We pray that Thou wouldst grant us the Holy 
Spirit to renew us after Thy blessed image, and 
create us anew in Christ Jesus unto good works, 
that we may be qualified for serving Thee, and made 
meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints 
in light. May the throne of iniquity within us be 
taken down, and the throne of God and the Lamb 



48 PRAYERS, 

set up. Constrained bj the love of Christ, may we 
always judge that we are bound to live not to our- 
selves, but to Him who died for us and rose again. 
If any of us are disposed to delay securing an in- 
terest in the Saviour whom Thou hast sent, convince 
us of our sin and folly. Show us that now is our 
accepted time and day of salvation. And may we 
give all diligence to make our calling and election 
sure. [May the children in this family, and the 
young everywhere, remember their Creator in the 
days of their youth, and know the blessedness of 
those who seek Thee early and find Thee.] 

We pray Thee, good Lord, to rule in our hearts 
this day. Let there be nothing in our pursuits to 
unfit us for Thy holy service, or to hinder the free 
course of Thy word. Enable us to spend the whole 
day in the public and private exercises of Thy 
worship, except so much as is taken up with works 
of necessity or mercy. 

We pray Thee, most merciful Father, to bless all 
who are to preach the word this day. Give them 
grace to be faithful. Help them to speak in the 
power of the Holy Ghost. Help also in their work 
all Sabbath-school teachers, and all others who in 
any way seek to labor for Christ this day. Put 
upon them Thy Spirit, and crown their ejfforts with 
abundant success. Eevive Thy work in Thy church, 
and add unto her daily such as shall be saved. 
Lord, there are great multitudes without the Sab- 
bath blessings we enjoy. Let it please Thee to en- 



P BAYERS. 49 

lighten the nations with the light of Thy word. 
Bless Thy servants who have gone forth to preach 
the Gospel among them. Take hindrances out of 
their way. Give them favor in the eyes of chiefs 
and rulers. The idols do Thou, God, utterly 
abolish, and make the kingdoms of the world the 
kingdoms of thy dear Son. 

Lord, we beseech Thee to give Thy blessing to 
all for whom we are bound to pray. Remember in 
Thy mercy our dear relations and friends, old and 
young. Give the sick the comfort of Thy presence. 
Comfort also the sorrowful and desolate. Save the 
dying. Make Thy way known upon earth. Thy 
saving health unto all generations. Let that time 
soon come of which Thou hast spoken unto us, when 
the heathen shall be Christ^s inheritance. 

God of the Sabbath, who only hearest prayer 
hear Thou us in these our requests ; and what we 
fail to ask because of our ignorance, yet do Thou 
grant unto us according to the riches of Thy grace 
in Christ Jesus, our Eedeemer. Amen. 

SABBATH EVENING. 

TDLESSED Lord, our Divine Father, receive, we^ 
-^^ beseech Thee, the praises we have joined with 
Thy people in offering unto Thee this day. Accept 
our thanks for the privileges we have enjoyed, and 
be pleased to make deep and lasting upon aur souls^ 
the impressions of Thy holy word. 



50 PBATER8, 

Our Father, we are not able to render perfect 
service unto Thee. When our bodies are bowed 
down in Thy presence, our hearts too often turn 
away from Thee. We hear Thy word with our 
ears, and yet we are as though we heard not. Par- 
don every one of us wherein we have offended against 
Thee this day. The good Lord forgive every one 
that has not rightly prepared himself to seek Thy 
face, and send down His blessing on all true dis- 
ciples, for the sake of Christ their Elder Brother. 

And now, gracious Father, we ask Thy continued 
care during another night. Watch over us while 
we are unable even to see danger. Thou keepest 
Thy people ; Lord, keep us, that no evil come 
nigh our home, that no danger or accident befall 
our bodies, and that the wicked one touch not our 
souls. 

May the week which we have begun in Thy ser- 
vice, be spent to Thy glory. May the truths of Thy 
holy word so impress and influence us that we shall 
live this week under their power. Oh, help us to 
be gentle, true, and honest in all our dealings with 
our fellow-men. Give us grace to be courageous, 
pure, and sincere in doing Thy will. Keep each 
of us from doing evil to others, and from receiving 
evil at the hands of others. Oh, help us to do good 
to all men as we have opportunity, especially unto 
them of the household of faith. 

Soon mav all mankind know that Thou hast so 
loved the world as to give thine only-begotten Son, 



PBATEBS, 51 

that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, 
but have everlasting life. Help us. we beseech 
Thee, to accept this Saviour joyfully, to confide in 
Him firmly, and to follow Him fully. May we be 
made the righteousness of God in Him. And being 
justified by faith, may we have peace, and joy, and 
hope. Assured of our interest in Him, may we rise 
above the fear of death, and be delivered from the 
sin that doth most easily beset us, and run with per- 
severance the race that is set before us, looking unto 
Jesus as our pattern and our end. While in this 
world may the same mind be in us which was also 
in Christ. 

Lord our God, we are reminded this night that 
our life must soon come to an end. Teach us how 
to labor in Thy service, and let us have it said to 
us at last, Well done, good and faithful servants. 
We thank Thee that a rest remaineth for Thy people. 
Make us ready for its holy enjoyments. We praise 
Thee that Christ our Lord has been received into 
glory, and placed at Thy right hand. Let us feel 
that we too shall come, as members of His body, to 
the mansions He has prepared. Let us be enabled 
to walk as those who are risen with Christ. Set 
our affections on things above, where Christ sitteth 
at Thy right hand. 

Gracious Father, we pray for those whom Thou 
hast joined unto us in bonds of nature or of Christ- 
tian love. Whatever good they have done us, or 
intended to do us, return Thou into their own bosom. 



52 PBAYEBS. 

Enrich, them with the gifts of Thy grace ; and 
though they and we be separated on earth, let us, 
while we live, ever have a meeting-place at onr 
Father's throne of grace ; and may we be gathered 
together at last in Thy glorious presence to be for- 
ever with the Lord. 

We are not worthy to approach Thee. We have 
no right to ask these blessings for ourselves or for 
others. But Jesus is worthy. "We plead His fin- 
ished work for us. We rely on Him for acceptance, 
and we shall give the glory to Father, Son, and 
Holy Ghost, one God for ever. Amen. 

MONDAY MORNING. 

r\ GOD, our heavenly Father, from whom we 
^^ receive every good thing. Thou didst permit 
us last night to cast ourselves upon Thy care. We 
asked safety and peace, and Thou hast watched 
over and strengthened our bodies with the rest of 
the night. And now we come to Thee to thank Thee. 
We do not deserve this, or any other of the proofs 
of Thy goodness that we enjoy. Receive our thanks, 
Thou Preserver of men, and deepen in our hearts 
the feeling that we are safe because we are kept 
by Thee. 

And now we join together as a household in ask 
ing Thee to be with us, as a father to his children ; 
Oh ! enable us to look up to Thee as children to a 
father. Keep us in comfort and safety this day. 



P BAYERS. 53 

Give us our daily bread, and order all our steps. 
Let there be nothing, our Father, in our life as a 
family, to grieve Thy Spirit, or to drive away Thy 
blessiDg. Show unto us what we owe to one another, 
and make us kind, gentle, and helpful to each other. 
Keep us from all fretfulness, sinful anger, and rash 
speaking. Guard us against errors and mistakes, 
and give us in all things the wisdom that cometh 
from above. God, give Thy blessing upon our 
labors this day, and help us to engage in them with 
contented minds ; for Thou, Lord, hast fixed our 
lot and given us our work to do. May we be made 
happy and prosperous as a household through Thy 
good blessing resting upon us. 

We pray Thee further still, heavenly Father, for 
the spiritual blessings that our souls need. Oh, 
may each of us have full and free forgiveness of sin 
through the redemption that is in Christ. Grant 
us the peace of believing. Oh, give us Thy holy 
Spirit, that He may put down the evil that is in 
each of us, and make us pure in heart. May each 
of us this day strive to die unto sin. Help us, 
God, to live unto Thee : Thou hast made us for 
Thy glory. Keep this, we beseech Thee, ever in 
the thoughts of our hearts, and let us live as be- 
comes those who are looking to the Lord Jesus for 
eternal life. Thou, God, searchest the heart of 
each of us. Let no secret sin lurk within us to de- 
stroy our peace, and break out into open rebellion 
against Thee. 



54 PBATEB8. 

Wc pray Thee, God the Lord, to bless our land 
with peace and true prosperity. Let there be em- 
ployment and bread for the poor. Keep the rich 
from trusting in uncertain riches. Bless those who 
are in power and authority, and help them to rule 
in Thy fear. Pour out Thy Spirit on the churches, 
to revive them, and make us a blessing among the 
nations. 

God our Father, we join in offering these 
thanks and prayers to Thee in the holy name of 
Jesus, our only High Priest, to whom be glory for 
ever. Amen. 

MONDAY EVENING. 

"T ORD God Almighty, in whom we live, the Giver 
-^ of every good gift, help us with one accord to 
come to Thee around our family altar. Hear Thou 
our prayers, and accept our thanksgivings for the 
blessings of the day. "We began it looking unto 
Thee ; we would close it, Lord, with Thee. Thou 
makest us happy morning and evening. From Thee 
came to us the food that nourished us and the health 
we enjoyed this day. Thou hast given us a home, 
and friends, and employment. We enjoy the bless- 
ings of this life, without deserving them. Too 
often, alas ! we abuse them. We confess this sin 
and all our other sins before Thee. We pray for 
pardon for the sake of Jesus Christ, the only 
Saviour. 



P EATERS. 55 

And now, we beseech Thee, Lord, to continue 
Thj care over us while we sleep : the darkness does 
not hide from Thee. Let no danger come to our home. 
Let the rest of the night refresh us ; and let us be 
strong in body and fixed in purpose on the morrow, 
to serve Thee more truly than we have done to-day. 
And as our days and nights are passing quickly 
away, grant that we may come nearer, everlasting 
Father, to Thee, in love, in childlike confidence, in 
knowledge and in holiness, being made meet by 
Thee for the inheritance of the saints in light. 

Almighty Father, we have many relatives and 
friends whom we love and who love us. Hear their 
prayers for us. Hear us when we commend them 
unto Thee. Some of them have great trials : we 
beseech Thee, good Lord, to support them under 
them. Some of them have sore temptations : give 
grace to them and us to overcome through the 
strength of Christ Jesus. Grant unto each of them 
the saving knowledge of the Redeemer, that, trust- 
ing in Him, and walking in His ways, they may 
come with us, and with all the family that is named 
after Jesus, to Thy everlasting kingdom. 

Lord God, there are many sick who shall wish 
through this night that it were morning. We praj 
Thee to be merciful to them in their sickness, to 
show them the Great Physician. Through Him do 
Thou heal all their diseases and forgive all their 
iniquities. 

And many, Lord, are in the night of ignorance 



56 ' PRAYERS. 

and sin. merciful God, send forth Thy light 
unto them, and give them Thy salvation. Hear us, 
we earnestly beseech Thee, in these our petitions, 
and mercifully grant us an answer for the sake of 
our precious Saviour, Thy Son, to whom, with Thee 
and the Holy Ghost, one God, be the kingdom, 
power, and glory, for ever. Amen. 

TUESDAY MORNING. 

TDLESSED and everlasting Father, who hast loved 
-^-^ us, and given Thy Son to be our Saviour, we 
thank Thee for thy word that we have now read 
together. We pray to Thy Holy Spirit to show us 
its meaning, and to write it on our hearts, so that 
it may form our principles and direct our steps. 
We adore Thee as our Maker, and own Thee as 
our Lord. We worship Thee in Jesus Christ Tiiy 
Son. We could not know Thee or come to Thee 
but in Him. We thank Thee for gracious invita- 
tions to the throne of grace ; and we pray that the 
Holy Ghost may be in us as long as we live, as a 
spirit of grace and of supplication. 

Lord, our holy Father, we confess before Thee 
our sins. Our hearts cherish evil thoughts, and our 
lips utter perverse and foolish things. Our hands 
have often done evil. We have walked in the ways 
of sin. We have rebelled against Thee, and done 
wickedly. It is of Thy mercy that we are not con- 
sumed. 



PRAYERS. 57 

We do not try, heavenly Father, to deny or con- 
ceal our sin. We cannot atone for it ; nor can we 
work out any righteousness of our own. Lord, 
save us ; we perish. We wish to look unto Jesus 
that we may be saved. We trust in Him. Oh, 
receive us, and bring us through the perils of life, 
and through death, to heaven, for His name's sake. 

We beseech Thee, most merciful God, to be with 
us this day in all we have to do. Make us diligent 
in our duties. Keep our consciences tender, that 
we may easily know the evil and turn from it. Let 
us not be afraid of men, so as to deny Christ. Oh, 
help us to do our common duties from love to Him, 
that He may be glorified. 

Lord, give Thy blessing to us as a family. May 
all under this roof be kept by Thee. Let our tastes 
and wishes be within what Thou dost give us of 
earthly blessing. Save us from all sinful waste, self- 
indulgence, and folly. Guard every one of us from 
temptation to little sins, that we fall not by-and-by 
into great sins. 

We pray for Thy blessing, Lord, on our en- 
gagements for the day. Help us to satisfy every 
just expectatiou of Thy people. Let us be a bless- 
ing and not a curse. Oh, that we may feel that we 
are not our own, but that we are bought with a 
price, even the precious blood of Jesus. 

Our Father, hear us when we thus call upon Thee, 
for Thy Son our Saviour's sake. Amen. 
3^ 



58 PBAYEBS. 



TUESDAY EVENING. 

GRACIOUS and most merciful Father, the God 
and Father of our Lord Jesus, Thou hast been 
the God of Thy people in all generations. The poor 
have cried unto Thee, and Thou hast heard them. 
Help ns to lift up our hearts unto Thee in our evening 
prayer ; and receive the humble and hearty thanks 
we give unto Thee for all the blessings of another 
day. 

For whatever sins we have committed against 
Thee to-day, we pray for Thy forgiveness. If we 
have forgotten Thee, or cast off Thy fear, if we 
have secretly murmured against Thee, doubted Thee 
in our hearts, or denied Thee with our lips, pardon 
us, we pray Thee, for the sake of Him who came to 
save even the chief of sinners. Lord, Thou hast 
seen how we have carried ourselves toAvards our 
fellow-men to-day. If we have been envious or 
proud, if we have taken pleasure in the sufferings 
of any, if we have been hard or unjust to any, par- 
don us, Lord. Lift upon us the light of Thy 
reconciled countenance, and give us grace to break 
off these and all our other sins by repentance. 

We beseech Thee, blessed Lord, to make our 
hearts pure, that our lives may be blameless. Keep 
us in constant readiness for any change of life, and 
for death itself. Let us not so build on earthly bless- 
ings that the want of them will crush us. Be Thou, 
God, our portion and our inheritance for ever. 



PBAYEBS. 59 

And now, Thou God of peace, if we have ene- 
mies, help US to forgive them. Incline tliose who 
hate us to be at peace with us, and so let us go to 
rest to-night at peace with Thee our Maker, and at 
peace with our fellow-men. If we awake in the 
night, let us feel that Thou art near ; and if it should 
be Thy will that any of us should die in sleep, let us be 
so plainly the Lord^s servants, that they who remain 
behind may say of us. Blessed are the dead that die 
in the Lord. 

We beseech Thee for our relatives and our friends. 
They are scattered abroad, but Thou seest them all. 
Give them all good things for the life that now is, 
and for that which is to come. 

We beseech Thee for the poor, the infirm, and the 
aged. Grant them patience under suffering, through 
the comfort of the Holy Ghost given unto them. 
We beseech Thee for the dying, that they may have 
the victory through the blood of the Lamb. We 
pray Thee also, God, on behalf of the bereaved 
and sorrowful. Let the fatherless find help in Thee. 
Teach the widow to trust in Thee. 

We pray Thee for all that are held captive of 
evil habits, and bound in sin. Deliver them, Lord, 
that they may praise Thee. Scatter them that are for 
war, and preserve peace to us. Bring heathen error to 
an end, and let the ends of the earth, that have so long- 
forgotten Thy name, remember and turn unto Thee. 

Hear us, and preserve us now and evermore, for 
the sake of Christ, our Advocate with Thee. Amen. 



60 PRATEB8, 

WEDNESDAY MORNING. 

T?VER blessed Lord, the God and Father of our 
-°^ Lord Jesus Christ, we desire to begin another 
day in Thy fear. As we go forth to its duties, we 
ask Thy guidance. As Thou hast kept us during 
the night, and suffered no evil to come upon ns, so 
do Thou keep us, blessed Lord, to the close of this 
day, and let us not sin against Thee. 

Thou hast given us the places we fill in life. Make 
us contented, heavenly Father, with our lot. Pre- 
serve us from vain and fruitless striving after any- 
thing Thou seest it good to withhold from us, and 
help us to adorn the doctrine of our Saviour in all 
things. 

We praise Thee for our liberty, for the protection 
of the laws, for our friends, and for all the comforts 
that are given to us. Every good gift cometh from 
Thee, blessed Father. Make us grateful to Thee, 
and useful to one another, and to all around us. 
Help us to keep the laws of our country, and bless 
all our fellow-subjects. We pray Thee for the 
President, and all in authority, that they may be a 
blessing to the people of this republic, and that they 
may have, after this life, crowns that fade not away. 

Holy Father, we have sinned much against Thee. 
We live too much in forgetfulness of Thee, and too 
much in the fear of man. We do our duties with- 
out the due sense of Thy authority. We fail to have 
a single eye. We please ourselves when we ought 



PRAYEBS, 61 

to please Thee. We confess these our sins before 
Thee, and pray for Thy forgiveness, for the sake of 
Jesus Christ our Lord. 

We thank Thee, gracious Lord, tliat there is for- 
giveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared. 
Alas ! we have often abused Thy mercy. We praise 
Thee for the gift of Christ, who died for our sins, 
and rose again for our justification. We pray that 
every one of us may be saved by Him. Lord, 
take away the guilt of our sins. Lord, set us free 
from the power of sin, and let not any iniquity have 
dominion over us. 

Especially do we beseech Thee, Thou all-seeing 
God, for purity of heart. Put Thy Holy Spirit 
within each of us ; and where He has already come 
unto us, may He dwell continually with us. Lord, 
keep us from grieving Him by evil of any kind in 
our thoughts, or in our life. Let no sin be harbored 
in our minds : we know not into what evil we might 
be plunged, if left to ourselves. Leave us not, 
God, but keep us by Thy mighty power, through 
faith unto salvation. 

Keep all Thy people this day, heavenly Father, 
in peace. Give comfort to those who are suffering 
affliction. Pity the poor, and give the light of the 
Gospel to the ignorant. Comfort all the children of 
sorrow, and, according to the greatness of Thy 
power, do Thou preserve those who are appointed 
to die. 

Hear us. Lord God, in what we ask for ourselves 



62 PBATEBS. 

and for others, for the sake of Jesus Christ ; and to 
Thee the Father, with the Son and the Holy Ghost, 
one Lord, be all honor and praise. Amen. 

WEDNESDAY EVENING. 

A LMIGHTY Father, before whom we bowed 
-^^ this morning, and by whom we have been kept 
throughout the day, give us the help of Thy Holy 
Spirit as we worship again in Thy presence. We 
thank Thee for Thy fatherly care of us. Hitherto 
hast Thou helped us, and we join together to praise 
Thee and bless Thy holy name. 

Forgive, Lord God, the sins Thou hast seen in 
us this day. We come far short of what Thou hast 
a right to require at our hands. But, Lord, deal 
not with us according to our evil, but according to 
Thy grace in Christ Jesus, the grace that hath 
brought us salvation. We beseech Thee to bless 
and establish the work of our hands. All true 
prosperity comes from Thee. Let there be profit in 
all our labor. And give us grace whatever we do to 
do all Thy to glory. Lord, Thou art infinitely good 
and wise. Thou hast settled it that our day's labor 
should be followed by the rest of the night. Thou 
dost draw around us, and around Thine other 
creatures, the curtains of the night : so Thou givest 
Thy beloved sleep. We pray that we may sleep in 
safety under Thy preserving hand. 

Lord, we cannot tell how soon it may be Thy 



PRATERS, 63 

will that we should sleep the sleep of death. Oh, 
prepare us for whatever Thou art preparing for us. 
May every one of us be in Christ ; may the heart 
of every one of us be a new heart. May the life of 
each of us, whether long or short, be a holy life ; 
and when we die, may each of us fall asleep in Jesus. 
Being made free from sin, and being the servants of 
God, may we each have fruit unto holiness, and the 
end everlasting life. 

Gracious Father, w^e remember in our prayers 
those with whom we mingle in our daily life. Give 
them Thy good blessing. Show us how to do them 
good, for Christ's sake. Keep us from receiving 
evil from others. May the Lord Jesus be our 
example, and give us grace to commend His blessed 
service to all around us. 

Bless, we beseech Thee, all our kindred, young 
and old, not only with the blessings of this life, but, 
above all, with the pardon of sin and the salvation 
that is in Christ. Lead the feet of the young in 
the way of peace. Keep the aged from the love of 
the world, and give them the hope that maketh not 
ashamed. 

Bless, we beseech Thee, Thy people in these 
lands. Maintain the truth as it is in Jesus among 
us. Bless all Bible and tract societies, and all 
efforts for the salvation of souls. Bless the labors 
of ministers and Sunday-school teachers, for the 
sake of Christ Jesus. 

Our Father which art in heaven^ etc. 



64 PBAYEBS. 

THURSDAY MORNING. 

T ORD God Almighty, our Divine Preserver, who 
-^-^ dost make our mornings and evenings happy, 
we come to renew our sacrifice of praise, and to offer 
once more our prayer to Thee in the holy name of 
Jesus Christ. We cannot pray unto Thee aright, 
Lord, without the help of Thy Holy Spirit. It is 
the living that praise Thee, Lord : the dead can- 
not. Make every one of us alive unto Thee, that 
with joyful lips we may glorify Thy great name. 

Thy good gifts come to us, Lord, with so much 
constancy, that we are in danger of forgetting the 
hand that bestows them. Lord, keep us from 
this sin. Make us mindful of Thy goodness, and 
constant in our praises and our service. Let us eat 
our meat with gladness. Let us enjoy the comforts 
Thou givest, because they are Thy gifts to us. 
Keep us from abusing them by any reckless waste, 
or sinful indulgence of the flesh. Whether we eat or 
drink, or whatever we do, let us do all to Thy 
glory. 

Thou God of salvation, we bless Thee for the 
way of life opened up to us, guilty sinners, through 
Jesus Christ, Thine only Son, our Redeemer. We 
had no claim upon Thy grace. Freely and of Thine 
own mercy Thou didst give Him a ransom for us. 
We glorify Thee for the riches of Thy grace, for the 
completeness of His work, for the freeness of Thine 
offer. How shall we escape if we neglect so great 



PRATERS, 65 

salvation ? What more could have been done for 
us than Thou hast done? And yet, Lord, we are 
by nature inclined to neglect it. Oh ! keep us from 
this sin. Create in every one of us a new heart — a 
heart that will believe in and love the Eedeemer. 
Show to every one of us His fitness and His fulness, 
and make every one of us to rejoice in Him. Let 
all sorrows and trials endear Him to us the more. 
May we grow up into Him in all things, and do all 
our duties and bear all our trials in the strength 
He gives unto His people. 

God, our Lord, we cannot tell what Thou art 
preparing for us this day. Our lives are in Thy 
hands. We are content that they should be in Thy 
holy keeping. Help us in all such duty and effort 
as Thou shalt call us to this day, and maintain in 
us, we pray Thee, a single eye to Thy glory. Grant 
us the discretion with which good men manage 
their affairs. Keep us from making mistakes. Oh, 
give us sound judgment, and hopeful spirits, that 
we may not grow weary in well-doing ; and do 
Thou crown all our labors with Thy blessing. 

Gracious Lord, who hast knit us together as the 
members of one family, help us to promote one 
another's good, to bear one another's burdens and 
to help one another. Provide for all our wants as 
a household. Let us not desire anything, our holy 
Father, of which we cannot tell Thee. Let us thus 
have happy fellowship with Thee, by Thy Spirit 
dwelling in us ; and let us have true communion 



QG PRAYERS, 

with one another in Jesus Christ, our Lord and 
Redeemer. And unto Him that is able to keep us 
from falling, and to present us faultless before the 
presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the 
only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, 
dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. 

THURSDAY EVElSriNG. 

T ORD GOD ! Thou art the Preserver of all men, 
^^ especially of them that believe. Thou makest 
the sun to shine on the evil and the good. Thou 
hast special care over them that know and fear Thee, 
and Thou makest all things to work together for 
their good. Blessed Lord, we should not have 
known Thee if Thou hadst not sought us out, and 
restrained us, and instructed us from Thy word. 
And we do not fear Thee as we should. Even this 
day we have offended against Thee, and we need 
Thy forgiveness, which we now humbly ask, through 
Christ Jesus, and for His name's sake. 

We thank Thee for Thy goodness to us, and to 
all mankind, in creating and in bestowing so many 
blessings. We praise Thee for Thy goodness to us 
in this land, where we enjoy so much liberty, and 
have so many means of happiness. Make us, and 
all our fellow-citizens, truly thankful ; and enable us 
all to live in Thy fear, and to serve Thee in truth 
and righteousness. Give Thy guidance and bless- 
ing to the President of these United States. Guide 



PRAYERS. 67 

those who are appointed for the making and execut- 
ing of our laws. Drive every evil thing away from 
among us, good Lord, and make us a happy, 
united, and God-fearing people. 

We adore and praise Thee for Thy saving grace 
shown to Thy church in Christ Jesus, her living 
Head. Thou hast given Him for our sins, and rais- 
ed Him for our justification. Thou hast set Him at 
Thy right hand. May each of us be of His body. 
Let not one of this family, God, be lost. What 
should it profit us, Lord, though we gained the 
world, and lost our souls ? save us, for Thy 
mercy's sake, in Christ Jesus ; and let us be at last 
a whole family in heaven. 

Another day has passed, Lord ; and we bless 
Thee at its close, and thank Thee for the peace, en- 
joyment, and power to labor it brought us. What- 
ever we have tried to do to Thee this day, Lord, 
accept. Pardon our dull affections, our great un- 
belief, our secret love of sin, and our open shortcom- 
ings ; and let the falls and errors of to-day be borne 
in mind, that we may be more humble and watchful 
in time to come. 

And now we beseech Thee to take us under Thy 
divine care during the night. Let us remember, 
as we lie down, how soon the grave shall cover us ; 
and let us be assured of our safety in Jesus Christ, 
that we may not fear death and the grave. 

Thou that hearest prayer, we thank Thee for 
the communion of saints, and that we are one with 



68 P BAYEB8. 

all them that in every place call upon Thee in Christ 
Jesus. We pray for all our brethren in Him — 
those Avhom we know, and those whom we shall only 
know in heaven. We especially beseech Thee to 
bless those with whom Thou hast united us on earth. 
Bless our own kindred, and let us have grace to 
help one another as one in Christ Jesus. Bless our 
pastor, and make him a blessing to all his flock. 
Give zeal and wisdom to all who bear office in the 
church of God. Enrich our fellow-worshippers with 
heavenly gifts, and revive true religion among us. 

We pray for all Christians in sickness, that they 
may be healed and comforted, or carried safely 
through their last agony. We pray for all mourn- 
ers, that they may be comforted of the Holy Ghost. 
We pray for all backsliders, that they may be re- 
covered by Thy grace, and brought with us, and 
with all Thy true people, to heaven, through the 
merits of Jesus Christ, our only Lord and Saviour. 
Amen. 

FRIDAY MORNIJ^G. 

/^ THOU holy and eternal Father, whose crea- 
^^ tures we are, and by whose gracious care we 
are preserved in being, help us once more to pre- 
sent to Thee our morning prayer. Not in our own 
name, but in the name of Jesus Christ, Thy well-be- 
loved Son, do we come before Thy Throne of Grace. 
For His sake we beseech Thee to receive us gra- 



PRAYEBS. 69 

ciously, to heal our backslidings, and to love us 
freely. 

With our hearts we thank Thee for our safe keep- 
ing and our refreshing sleep during the past night. 
and for the use of all our active powers this morning. 
Thou hast not dealt with us after our sins, nor re- 
warded us according to our iniquities. Bless the 
Lord, our souls, and forget not all His benefits. 
May we all feel that we are as dependent on Thee 
now when raised up, and going forth to the day's 
work, as we were when we lay helpless on our beds 
during the hours of darkness. And may we be 
sensible of our obligations as well as of our depen- 
dence ; and willingly, throughout this day and all 
the days of our life, devote every power of body 
and of mind to Thee in grateful and loving obedi- 
ence. 

Alas ! God, we have to confess our grievous 
short-coming in this respect in the past. We have 
not loved or served Thee as we ought to have done. 
We have been unthankful for Thy mercies, disobe- 
dient to Thy commands, and indifferent to Thy calls. 
Our iniquities are increased over our heads, and our 
trespass is grown up into the very heavens : we are 
ashamed, and blush to lift up our face to Thee, O 
our God. But our hope is in Thy mercy, which has 
borne with us hitherto, and is extended to us still. 
We humbly look to Jesus, whom Thou hast set forth 
to be the propitiation for our sins, in whom believ- 
ing, Thou hast assured us, the guilty obtain forgive- 



70 PRATERS. 

ness, and the weary find rest. We take refuge from 
Thy wrath, and from our own unrighteousness, in 
His precious blood and finished righteousness. We 
desire with all our hearts, to accept Him as made 
of Thee unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and 
sanctification, and redemption. We rejoice to think 
that we are complete in Him. And we pray to be 
enabled to prove in our experience the efficacy of 
His death and resurrection to the uttermost. Anx- 
ious as we are to be pardoned, we would be no less 
anxious for purification and cleansing. 

Grant us all Thy grace to the discharge of the 
duties to which we are called this day. Make us 
diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the 
Lord. Whatever our hand findeth to do, may we 
do it with our might. Turn our hearts from that 
covetousness which is idolatry. In our intercourse 
with our fellow-men enable us to be meek, and for- 
giving, and kind, esteeming others better than our- 
selves. If at any time we are provoked by the self- 
ishness of our neighbors, let us not yield to wrath 
or revenge, neither give place to the devil, but con- 
sider Him who endured such contradiction of sin- 
ners against Himself, lest we weary and faint in 
our minds. Under whatever ills we may be call- 
ed to bear, let us possess our souls in patience, and 
endure as seeing Him who is invisible. If at any 
time we are in doubt what course to take, may our 
heart turn upward with the prayer " Lord, what 
wilt Thou have us to do T Save us from the com- 



P BAYERS. ^i 

panionship of the wicked and from the counsel 
of the foolish. May we embrace eyerj opportunity 
of doing good to the bodies and the souls of men, 
and abstain from whatever is fitted to give them 
pain or do them harm. And knowing that we can- 
not boast ourselves of the morrow, may the work 
assigned to this day be done in its season. When- 
soever death shall overtake us, may it find us as 
faithful servants, waiting for the coming of our 
Lord. 

We pray for all who are in affliction this morning. 
Consider their affliction and their pain, and forgive 
all their sins. When Thou hast tried them, may 
they come forth as gold. May Thy Holy Spirit so 
bring home to them the truths of the glorious Gos- 
pel, that their hearts, if hardened, may be broken 
into repentance, and, if broken, may be bound up 
and healed. Comfort the bereaved and the*mourner, 
succor the poor and needy. In Thee let the widow 
and the fatherless find mercy. Prepare the diseased 
and dying for their great change. Show kindness 
and do good to Zion, Thine own hill. Make Thy 
church a praise in all the' earth. Soon may all men 
know the joyful sound, and all nations whom Thou 
hast made come and worship before Thee, and glo- 
rify Thy name. 

All we ask is in the name of Jesus Christ, our 
Lord and Redeemer. Amen. 



72 PRAYERS, 

FRIDAY EVENIN^G. 

/~\ LORD, Thou art great, and doest wondrous 
^-^ things. Thou art God alone. Among the 
gods there is none like Thee, neither are there any 
works like unto Thy works. Thou doest all things 
according to Thy pleasure, and all that Thou doest 
is wise and good. Thy mercy is in the heavens, 
and Thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. With un- 
feigned submission to Thy authority, and reverence 
for Thy majesty, and gratitude for Thy goodness, 
do we. Thy unworthy and sinful creatures, come be- 
fore Thy footstool to-night. Oh, help us to praise 
Thee with joyful hearts, and to exalt Thy name to- 
gether. 

< To Thee, by whom our wants have been this day 
supplied, and our lives preserved, and our souls 
delivered from death, do we offer our evening wor- 
ship. We adore and give thanks. Oh, that all men 
to whom these great and undeserved mercies have 
been given in common with ourselves, would praise 
the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful 
works unto the children of men ! All that Thy pure 
eyes have seen amiss in our actions, our motives, 
and our tempers, graciously forgive. We rejoice to 
know that if we confess our sins, Thou art faithful 
and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us 
from all unrighteousness. Well may we tremble, 
because of our exposure to Thy wrath and curse ; 
but, thanks be to Thy name, Thou hast told us, in 



P BAYERS. 73 

Thy word, of the great love wherewith Thou hast 
loved us, even when we were dead in sin, in sending 
Thy Son to suffer and die in our stead, that we 
might have redemption through His blood, and 
enter into life eternal. Thanks be unto God for 
this unspeakable gift. 

Lord, help us to do all that in us lies to adorn 
His doctrine, to advance His cause, and to promote 
the honor of His name. Knowing His preciousness 
in our own experience, may we commend Him to 
our fellow-men. May we look on this world as He 
looks on it : love it with His love, and long for its 
conversion with somewhat of His yearning com- 
passion. Bring down, God, all that is opposed 
to the progress of Chrisfs gospel. Destroy every 
form of superstition and idolatry that exists. Put 
the wicked in fear. Let not the needy be alway 
forgotten, nor the expectation of the poor perish for 
ever. Bring Thy sons from far, and Thy daughters 
from the ends of the earth. Oh, that the salvation 
of Israel were come out of Zion ! 

To thy watchful care, God of our life, we com- 
mend us all through the silent hours of the night. 
Keep us all as the apple of Thine eye. Abiding in the 
secret place of the Most High, and lying down under 
the shadow of the Almighty, may ours be the sleep of 
Thy beloved. Thou who hast delivered us from the 
destruction that wasteth at noon-day, save us also, 
we beseech Thee, from the pestilence that walketh 
in darkness. May all whom we love be precious in 
4 



74 PBAYEB8. 

Thy sight, and wherever they are. Lord, let Thine 
angel encamp about them to defend from all ill. 
Have mercy on all who are racked with pain, and 
who will seek for rest but find none. Be kind to 
their frail and suffering bodies, and save their 
immortal souls. Be gracious to all those to whom 
this night is to be the last on earth. May they be 
in Christ as their Eefuge and Saviour before they 
appear in His presence as their Judge. 

If it please Thee, spare us to see the light of a new 
day, and raise us up strengthened both in body and 
mind for the duties of the morrow, to Thy glory and 
praise. But if it should be otherwise, may the 
angels who minister to the heirs of salvation, bear 
our souls home to the bosom of our Lord. As for 
us, may we behold Thy face in righteousness, may 
we be satisfied when we awake with Thy likeness. 
Whether we wake or sleep, we would make this 
our rejoicing, that Thou wilt show us the path of 
life, and that in Thy presence is fulness of joy, and 
at Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. 

Let these our prayers come before Thee as in- 
cense and the lifting up of our hands as the even- 
ing sacrifice, for Jesu's sake. Amen. 

SATURDAY MORNING. 

MERCIFUL and Blessed Father, whose preserv- 
ing care has been over us through the past 
night, receive our thanks this morning. Give us 



PRATEBS. 75 

grace to offer the sacrifice of praise unto Thee. 
Help us as a family to cherish becoming gratitude 
to Thee for lives lengthened, for health spared, and 
for raiment, food, and shelter. In the home Thou 
hast given us enable us so to enjoy Thy good gifts, 
that we may glorify Thee, the Giver of them all. 

Lord, our Heavenly Father, we own that we 
are not worthy to claim one, even the least, of these 
benefits. If we say or think that we have no sin, 
we deceive ourselves. We have gone astray like 
lost sheep. Our hearts have often been closed 
against Christ and open to His enemies. Our words 
have often been rash, scornful, and proud. By our 
words we might well be condemned. In our lives 
we have not honored Thee ; we have been turned 
aside from doing Thy will by the fear of man, and 
by the love of sin. "We confess these sins before 
Thee. We pray for forgiveness through that only 
atonement, of which Thy word speaks to us ; and 
we ask Thy grace, for Christ's sake, to enable us to 
forsake these sins, and follow after holiness. 

And now, most blessed Father, who hast settled 
our lot in life, and given us far more than we had 
any right to expect, give us contentment, that we 
may not dishonour Thee, or disquiet ourselves in 
vain. Give us, we likewise beseech of Thee, a 
true knowledge of what Thou dost require of us, 
and make us diligent and faithful both to Thee, our 
-Master in heaven, and to our fellow-men upon earth. 
May that gracious Lord, who for us became poor, 



76 PBATEBS, 

and lived among poor men, be with our spirits 
while we are engaged about the work of the day. 
May we receive help from Thee, through Him, to 
work with our hands the thing which is good, and 
to do all with a single eye to thy glory. 

merciful Lord, we are in great need of spirit- 
ual blessings. Our love to Thee is cold : we pray 
Thee to increase it. Our faith is weak : we beseech 
Thee to strengthen it. And, Lord, do not leave 
any of us, or any of our friends, among the enemies 
of Christ. May they and we be reconciled to Thee 
through the Kedeemer, and have forgiveness 
through His blood. Thou hast brought us to the 
last day of this week. Help us so to spend our lives 
that when their last day shall come, we shall have 
nothing to do but to fall asleep in Christ Jesus, 
assured that our life is hid with Christ in God. 

We implore Thy blessing upon all men. Give 
patience to the poor, and enrich them with spiritual 
blessings. Succor all the distressed, and direct 
the ignorant into the way of peace. Lord, look in 
pity upon heathen lands. Pity those whose gods 
cannot hear and help them. Reveal Thyself unto 
them in Jesus Christ. Make Thy way known unto 
all men, and fill the earth with peace and righteous- 
ness. God, our Father, hear us in these peti- 
tions, for the sake of Christ, our Redeemer. Amen. 



PBAYEB8, Y7 

SATURDAY EVENING. 

OLORD, Thou hast been the dwelling-place of 
Thy people through all generations. The 
poor have cried unto Thee, and have been delivered. 
Our fathers trusted in Thee, and were not put to 
shame. Not one word has failed of all that Thou 
hast spoken concerning Thy people. "We, too, can 
declare that Thou art good and doest good. We 
join together in praising Thee. Thy hand has been 
opened wide, and Thou hast supplied all our wants. 

Father, it is meet that we should praise Thee. 
We worship Thee, our Lord. We join our voices 
with those of the angels, and glorify Thee for Thy 
love. We adore Thee, the Holy One, God in 
Christ, revealed to us by the Holy Ghost. We are 
thankful unto Thee that Thy Son, one with Thee, 
equal in power and glory, became man for us. We 
believe in the Holy Ghost, one with Thee, Father, 
and with Thy Son. May we receive strength from 
Thee, to honor Thee all the days of our lives ; and 
in the life to come, let it be given us to serve Thee 
for ever. 

Accept our thanks, good Lord, for the blessings 
of the week now closing. Pardon all the evils we 
have done. Let not the guilt of our sins rest on 
our consciences ; but let us in repentance and faith 
close the week at peace with Thee in Christ, and at 
peace with all our fellow-men. 

All prosperity cometh from Thee, Lord. Es- 



/ 



IS PRATERS. 

tablish and prosper the work of our hands. Do for 
us as Thou didst for Joseph long ago. Make a 
blessing to go wherever we are. Do good in Thy 
good pleasure to all who do us good, or intend good 
unto us. Eeturn their kindnesse sevnfold into their 
own bosoms. If any are enemies to us, help us 
to forgive them when we know it, and do Thou, 
Lord, forgive them and turn their hatred into good- 
will, for all hearts are in Thy hand. 

Heavenly Father, we have come now to the eve 
of the Sabbath. As we lay aside our daily toils, 
and take rest for our bodies, help us. Lord, also to 
lay aside all worldly cares, and all thoughts about 
our lawful business, that we may on the morrow 
worship and serve Thee with all our strength and 
all our minds. Make the day of rest a day of joy 
and gladness to us, and to all whom we love, and 
prepare us and them for the eternal Sabbath. 

Lord, who hast given the church and the min- 
istry to us, be with Thy servant our minister, and 
with all true preachers of Christ's holy Gospel. 
May their spirits be taught and purified by the Holy 
Ghost, that they may minister the truth unto Thy 
people. And, Lord of the harvest, send forth 
many faithful laborers into the world, and gather 
the precious wheat into the garner of the Lord 
Jesus. 

Heavenly Father, we beseech Thee on behalf of 
all the children of men, who are in danger or diffi- 
culty. Many to-night are journeying far from the 



PBAYERS, 79 

comforts of home as we enjoy them, and many are 
on the sea. Lord, help them to look up to Thee, 
and do Thou turn upon them Thine eyes, and give 
them peace and safety. Many, Lord, who love 
Thee are in sorrow. Oh, that they may be comfort- 
ed with the comfort of the Holy Ghost ! They are 
one with us, though we know them not, and we 
plead on their behalf. When they walk through the 
waters, be Thou, Lord, with them. Spare those, 
Lord, who are not fit to die, and cheer Thy children 
as they pass through the dark valley. 

Many of our fellow-sinners, Lord, are in the 
midst of temptation. Lord, deliver them. Bless 
the societies that labor for the good of our race. 
Favor every society of this kind with which we 
are connected, either by giving or receiving, and 
make it the means of much and lasting good. Crown 
the efforts of every Christian worker with Thy 
blessing. Lord, turn not away Thine ear from 
our prayer and intercession, and what we fail in 
asking, fail not Thou, good Lord, to grant, for 
Christ^s sake. Amen. 



SECOND FORTNIGHT. 



SUNDAY MORNING. 

r\ ALMIGHTY God, the God of the Spirits of 
^-^ all flesh, in whom we live, and move, and have 
our being ; who hast preserved ns all our life long, 
and brought us to the beginning of this day in 
safety : we come into Thy presence, trusting to the 
multitude of Thy mercies, through the merits and 
mediation of Jesus, Thy beloved Son. 

our God ! we acknowledge that we are unwor- 
thy even to speak unto Thee. We have provoked 
Thee to anger by our sins. We have grievously de- 
parted from Thee. We have neglected Thy word, 
rejected the Gospel of Thy Son, and profaned Thy 
holy Sabbaths. Yet now, Lord, for the sake of 
Jesus, look upon us with compassion ; and as Thou 
hast granted us the privilege of another Sabbath, 
grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that we may worship 
Thee, this day, in Spirit and in truth. 

We grieve to think how often we have offered to 
Thee the sacrifice of fools, and drawn near to Thee 

with our lips, while our hearts were far from Thee. 

(80) 



PRAYEBS. 81 

Teach us how to pray, we beseech Thee. our 
Father, fulfil Thy promise, and give to us Thy Holy 
Spirit. Put life and energy into all the services of this 
day ; that we may enjoy Thy presence, in all we do, 
or hear, or say. Manifest Tliyself to our souls. Meet 
lis in Thy house of prayer ; and so bless us, and 
sanctify to us every means of grace, that this day 
may be to us an earnest of the rest that remaineth 
for the people of God. 

Accept our grateful thanks, Lord, for unnum- 
bered mercies which we have received — for health, 
while many are suffering from sickness — for food 
and raiment, while others are in need of both. But 
above all, would we bless and praise Thee, for the 
gift of Thy beloved Son, Jesus. Oh, that we may this 
day learn to love Him more. May the preaching of 
His Gospel be accompanied by the power of the 
Holy Ghost to our hearts, revealing Him to us, and 
showing us more of His loveliness and beauty, than 
we ever discovered before. Lord, we would see 
Jesus ; we would feed on Jesus ; we would enjoy 
the blessedness of spiritual union with Him, our 
risen Head. 

We plead with Thee, Lord, for those to whom 
Thou hast committed the ministry of Thy word, and 
who shall stand up in thy name this day, to preach the 
Gospel of Thy grace. Do Thou break the bread of 
life, and bless it, and give it in their hands, that 
they may deal it out to those precious souls over 
whom Thou hast placed them. Enable them to trust 
4^ 



82 PR A TUBS. 

more to the teacliing of Thy Spirit, than to the words 
of man's wisdom. Especially bless him to whom 
we this day look for instruction ; and grant that a 
word in season may be conveyed to onr souls, to 
quicken us to increased devotedness, and to higher 
enjoyment of the things of God. Open the treasury 
of Tiiy grace, Lord, and satisfy us with Thy ful- 
ness. So remove every cloud of ignorance and un- 
belief, that we may see Thee in the fulness of Thy 
glory ; and so delight ourselves in Thee, that every 
thing on earth may lose its glory, by reason of the 
glory that excelleth. So shall this Sabbath be to 
us a blessed foretaste of the joys to come. 

In the name of Jesus we ask these blessings. For 
His sake give more than we desire or deserve. And 
to Him, with Thyself, and the eternal Spirit, be all 
honor and glory, for ever. Amen. 

SUNDAY EVENING. 

/~\ EVER blessed Lord,who hast revealed Thyself 
^^ in Jesus as a merciful God, able and willing 
to save them to the uttermost that come unto Thee 
by Him, we now draw near in His name. 

We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins 
and wickedness which we, from time to time, have 
committed, by thought, word, and deed, against Thy 
divine majesty, provoking most justly Thy wrath and 
indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, 
and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings. We 



PRAYEBS. 83 

grieve that we have not loved Thee with all our 
heart, with all our mind, with all our soul, and 
with all our strength. Our worship of Thee has 
been marked by infirmity ; and imperfection has ap- 
peared in our holiest acts of devotion. We betake 
ourselves to Jesus. We come to the cleansing 
fountain of His blood, to be washed from the defile- 
ment of the day. We come to lay hold upon His 
strength, reuouncing all self-dependence ; and, in 
the full conviction of our utter unworthiness, to 
receive that blessing from Thee, which, for His 
worthiness. Thou wilt bestow. Our Father, hear us. 
We would rejoice that the whole burden of our sin 
has been laid upon Jesus, who was made sin for us. 
We would now receive the blessing, which by His 
Gospel has been made known to us this day, that 
Jesus being our Advocate — Jesus our Mediator — 
Jesus our atoning Priest — our conscience may be 
eased of the burden of sin ; so that we may lie down 
in peace, and in the assured hope, that if death 
should visit us before the morning^s light, we should 
be found accepted in Jesus. 

We beseech of Thee, blessed Lord, to pour upon 
us of the Holy Spirit, to give effect to Thy word 
which we have this day heard. The seed has 
been sown in our hearts ; but in vain shall we have 
received it, unless Thou follow it with Thy blessing. 
Do thou command the clouds that they so rain upon 
us, that our hard hearts may be softened ; that the 
seed sowed may be nourished ; and that an abund- 



84 PBAYJEES. 

ant increase be produced. Thou hast said, " Whoso- 
ever will, let him take of the water of life freely/' 
Give it us, we pray Thee, for the sake of Jesus ; 
that so Thy glory may be revealed to us, and our 
hearts may rejoice in the possession of Thy love. 
Tor Thee we wish to live ; in Thee we wish to die ; 
keep us ever near unto Thee, and allow us to walk 
in the light of Thy countenance. precious Saviour, 
our risen and exalted Head, take us into more close 
and happy union with Thyself, and nourish our souls 
with thy Spirit from day to day. 

And, Lord, we would remember before Thee 
those who have been engaged this day in the min- 
istry, or teaching of Thy holy word. Strengthen 
them with the food which they have prepared for 
others ; and enable them to exhibit an example of 
those precepts, which they have labored to teach. 
Pardon those who have run, unsent, into the 
sliepherd's office, and have taken on them to preach 
a Saviour, of whom they are ignorant. Lord, 
awaken them ; Lord, convert them ; and rescue 
Thy people from the curse of an unfaithful ministry. 

And now. Lord, we commend ourselves to Thy 
care and keeping. Watch over us during the night. 
Preserve us from all dangers both of body and soul. 
Eefresh our weary bodies with needful rest : and 
if a new day be added, to our lives, enable us to 
show that we have not been forgetful hearers of Thy 
word, but, by Thy blessing, may we be doers of it. 

Hear us, for the sake of Him, through whom alone 



PRAYEB8. 85 

we can expect an answer to our prayers, or accept- 
ance of our thanksgivings — the Lord Jesus Christ ; 
to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be ascribed, 
as is most due, everlasting praise. Amen. 

MONDAY MORNING. 

"OLESSED Lord, who hast renewed Thy mercies 
-^^ to us this morning, and hast raised us up to 
see the light of another day, unto Thee do we lift up 
our souls in prayer, while we bow ourselves before 
Thy throne of grace. Adored be Thy mercy which 
has provided a way of acceptance for us, mis- 
erable sinners, through Jesus, the Son of Thy love. 
Adored be that goodness which allows us to come 
to Thee, with boldness, and to enter into the holiest 
by the blood of Jesus. Through Him we come — 
through Him we pray ; for His sake, hear and 
answer us. 

our God, we are ashamed, and blush to lift up 
our faces before Thee, for our iniquities have in- 
creased over our heads, and our trespass has grown 
up into the heavens. We are ungrateful children — 
rebellious children ; and Thou art a longsiiifering 
and most merciful Father. But, Lord, we desire 
not to persist in ingratitude, or rebellion. We hate 
ourselves on account of them ; but we are so tied 
and bound with the chain of our sins, that we can- 
not follow Thee as we desire. We therefore come to 
Thee this morning, pleading Thy promise, through 



86 FBATFBS, 

Jesus, that Tliou wilt give the Holy Spirit to them 
that ask. Lord, we ask it. With all our heart and 
soul we ask it ; for it is onlv as Thou dost endue us 
with power from on high, that we shall be enabled 
to resist the temptatious of the world, the flesh, and 
the devil. We have labored in our own strengtli 
to conquer sin, and have failed. Our flesh cleaveth 
upon the earth. Though bound to Thee by every tie 
of gratitude, yet our affections will not dwell upon 
Thee. Thousrh once warm in Thv service, we ao*ain 
grow cold and forsake Thee. our Father — our 
loving Father — our compassionate Father, — have 
pity upon Thy poor weak children, who are struggling 
to love and serve Thee, in the midst of a world of 
sin and iniquity. We earnestly desire to overcome 
sin, yet have no power to do so. But we bless and 
praise Thee, that Thou hast made provision for our 
wants, and that Thou hast promised that Thy strength 
shall be made perfect in our weakness. Lord, endue 
us with the Holy Spirit, for all the purposes of holi- 
ness, and growth in grace, and subduing of the 
flesh, and mortifying carnal desires, and enjoyment 
of spiritual things, that we may abound in the work 
and enjoyment of the Lord. 

We are now entering upon the new week, 
Lord, and we desire to be more devoted to Thee — 
to come out from the world and to be separate — to 
w^r against every thing that may rob us of our 
peace, or provoke Thee to withdraw from us the 
light of Thy countenance. We wish to live to Thy 



PRATERS, 87 

glory, and to walk with thee all the clay long. But 
who is sufificient for these things ? Lord, we are 
not, but Thy Spirit can enable us. Give us, then, 
the Holy Ghost in all the power which we are en- 
titled to ask for, and which Thou seest right to be- 
stow. Make us holy. Stamp thine image upon our 
hearts ; and enable us to manifest the life of godli- 
ness. We bless Thee for any enjoyment we have 
had in spiritual things. We praise Thee even for 
the desire to serve Thee ; and we beseech of Thee to 
strengthen us to follow, what Thou hast taught us to 
love. 

But, Lord, if there be any amongst us who are 
yet strangers to these precious truths ; who are yet 
living in the indulgence of sin ; for Jesus^ sake have 
mercy upon them. Open their eyes to see their 
danger. Open tlieir eyes to see the sacrifice for sin, 
in the blood of Jesus, and the remedy for the love 
^f sin, in the regenerating and sanctifying power 
of the Holy Ghost, 

From all the temptations to which we may this 
day be exposed, good Lord preserve us. Keep us 
humble ; distrustful of ourselves, but confident of 
strength in Thee. Let us not run into forbidden 
ways, nor expect protection but in the path of duty. 
Grant these our petitions, Lord, for the sake of 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 



88 PBAYEBS, 

MONDAY EVENING. 

TTTE come before Thee this Evcaing, gracious 
^ ^ Lord, under a consciousness of our sinful- 
ness, and of thine exceeding holiness. Thou art the 
Holy One. Thou canst not bear iniquity. To the 
cleansing fountain of the Saviour's blood do we 
come. We would there wash, and be clean ; and 
upon the altar of His merits, present this, our even- 
ing sacrifice of prayer and praise. 

Tliy goodness has spared us through another day. 
We come to Thee to render an account of our 
stewardship, and to tell Thee how we have this day 
been engaged in Thy service. Lord, Thou knowest 
all before we speak ; yet would we tell Thee : we 
would conceal nothing — deny nothing. We are 
verily guilty before Thee. Our own consciences 
accuse us of having left undone what we might have 
done, and having done what we should not have 
done. Lord, we cry unto Thee for the Holy Spirit, 
that we may be kept close to Thee, and that we may 
have that continued spiritual mind which is joy 
and peace. May the Spirit be in us as a well of 
water, springing up into everlasting life, enriching 
us with the knowledge and love of Jesus ; and 
taking of His glory, and showing it unto us. All our 
happiness, blessed Jesus, is gone, if thou dost 
hide Thyself ; and without the light of the Spirit we 
cannot see thee. We wish to see Thee — to live upon 
Thee — to feed upon Thee. Oh, may Thy love be shed 



PRAYERS. 89 

abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, that our 
love to Thee may be perfect, engaging our best 
affections, and employing all our powers of mind 
and body in Thy service. Thou didst love us, when 
we cared not for Thee ; yea, when by wicked works 
we were Tiiine enemies. Oh, break Thou these hard 
and flinty hearts, which refuse to melt at the re- 
membrance of Thy love ; and so take possession of 
us, tliat every thought, and word, and action, may 
be brought into captivity to Thine obedience. 

Eemove from us all envying, and strife, and 
divisions, and whatever belongs to that carnal 
mind, which is enmity against Thee ; and grant that 
the fruit of the Spirit may abound in us to Thy 
glory, and to our great joy. Make us humble, lowly 
in our own eyes, esteeming others better than our- 
selves. Enable us to adorn the doctrine of God our 
Saviour in all things. Strengthen the faith of those 
amongst us to whom thou hast already bestowed it ; 
and give it, for the sake of the Lord Jesus, to those 
who have it not. Oh, let none of us be deceived 
concerning our souls' salvation ; nor allow us to 
hope well of ourselves, while that hope is not found- 
ed upon the sacrifice of Jesus. Show us our real 
state and character. Take away every false prop 
upon which we have leaned, and establish us 
upon Jesus, the rock of ages — the unfailing founda- 
tion of the sinner's hope. 

We praise thee, Lord, for unnumbered mercies, 
of which we are utterly unworthy. We praise thee, 



90 PBAYEB8, 

if we have at all been enabled to live to Thy glory 
this clay, — to resist temptation — to conquer sin — to 
confess Thee before the ungodly — and to warn sin- 
ners of the wrath to come. We bless Thee that thou 
hast not given us over to a reprobate mind, nor 
taken us away in the midst of our iniquities. Oh, 
that as we ought we may now praise Thee, and that 
all that is within us may bless Thy holy name. 

Unto Thy care we now commend ourselves this 
night. We will lay us down in peace, if Thou speak 
peace to us through Jesus. May our last thoughts 
be of Thee ; and when we wake, may Thy Spirit 
bring heavenly things to our mind. Pardon the 
imperfections of our prayers ; supply what we have 
omitted to ask for, and do all for the sake of Jesus. 
Amen. 

TUESDAY MORNING. 

ll/FOST blessed Lord, who delightest in showing 
ilX niercy to those who honor Thy beloved Son ] 
we, renouncing all self-dependence, and trusting to 
that complete atonement which He has made upon 
the cross, come into Thy presence this morning. 

We humble ourselves before Thee on account of 
our sins. Goodness and mercy have followed us all 
the days of our lives. Thou hast commended Thy 
love to us, in that Thou hast given Thy Son for our 
sins ; and yet we have requited Thy goodness and 
Thy love by ingratitude and rebellion. Lord, we 



PBAYEBS. 91 

hate ourselves on account of sin. We long to be 
delivered from it. We wish for that holiness which 
is happiness. We feel our utter inability to conquer 
a single sin. We therefore cry unto Thee, our Fa- 
ther. We knock at Thy door this morning, and im- 
plore of Thee to come forth, and to give us a 
Father's blessing. We do not ask for riches — for 
honors — for the good things of this world. But we 
pray of Thee to give us the mighty power of the 
Holy Spirit, to resist the temptation of the world, 
the flesh and the devil. Baptize us with the Holy 
Ghost. Condemn sin in our members ; and as those 
members have too long been employed as instruments 
of unrighteousness, may they now, and ever, and 
unceasingly, be employed in Thy happy service. 
We desire, Lord, that no darling sin be retained; 
but enable us, by the Spirit, with unsparing severity 
to crucify every unholy affection and lust. 

We pray for the mind that was in Christ Jesus ; 
and to that end, give us the Spirit that was in Jesus. 
Lord, confirm and strengthen in us whatever Thou 
thyself hast planted ; and root out of us all things 
that offend against the holiness that becomes Thy 
faithful followers. 

And, Lord, look in mercy upon any now kneel- 
ing before Thee, who are yet unconverted by the 
Spirit of Christ — who love the world in preference 
to Jesus, and who follow its ways instead of the 
ways of holiness. Show them their danger, we be- 
seech Thee, and show them their loss. Convince 



92 PBATEBS. 

tliem that they are in the road that leads to the ruin 
of their souls. Give them Thy Spirit to display be- 
fore them the love and beauty of Jesus ; that their 
affections may be withdrawn from unworthy objects. 
and centred upon Him. adorable Redeemer, so 
manifest thy love to each of us, that we may esteem 
Thee the chief among ten thousand, and altogether 
lovely ; and so be filled by Thy love, that our hearts 
and thoughts may dwell upon Thee all the day long. 

And while we pray to Thee for those things which 
we stand in need of, we would praise Thee for what 
we have already received. Praise be to Thee for the 
blessings of the past night ; that we laid us down 
to sleep, and were raised in safety. Praise be to 
Thee if we begin this day with any increased desire 
to live to Thy glory. Oh, if we have this not, give 
it us before we rise from our knees. Praise be to 
Thee for health, for food, for raiment. But above 
all, praise be to Thee for the unspeakable gift of 
Thy beloved Son, Jesus. 

And now, Lord, we pray Thee to watch over us 
while we pass through the world this day. Lead 
us not into temptation — deliver us if tempted. En- 
able us to glorify Thee in our several callings in life. 
Let nothing so occupy us, as to drive Thee for a mo- 
ment from our minds ; but be Thou ever present, to 
regulate our tempers, our affections, and our pur- 
suits. Hear these our prayers, O Lord, and when 
Thou dost hear, forgive. Pardon the imperfection 
of our solemn services, and accept us and them, for 



PBATEBS. 93 

the sake of Him in whom Thou art well pleased, 
the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

TUESDAY EVENING. 

r\ GOD, who, though Thou dwellest in the high- 
^-^ est heavens, hast respect unto those who 
pray to Thee on earth in the name of Thy dear 
Son, Jesus, let Thine ear be attentive to the prayer 
which, in His name, we now offer unto Thee. 

We come under a deep sense of our utter un wor- 
thiness of the least of Thy mercies. We are not 
worthy to gather up the crumbs that fall from Thy 
table ; and yet dost Thou allow us to ask for the 
portion of children. Thou art very merciful, 
Lord ; Thy love in Christ is unsearchable. Yet 
give us the Spirit, that we may know more of that 
love. Though it be a love that passeth our full 
understanding, teach us to understand it more per- 
fectly. The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the 
deep things that are revealed in Thy word. Give 
us the Spirit, we implore Thee, for Christ's sake ; 
and may we, by it, be led to the understanding and 
enjoyment of all that Thou hast revealed. give 
us the Spirit, to lead us into all Thy truth. We 
lay aside our own wisdom ; we yield ourselves to 
Thee ; and pray of Thee to teach us all that Thou 
wouldst have us to know. 

Nor less do Ave pray to Thee, Lord, for the 
spirit of holiness. Thou seest how much of world- 



94 PBATEBS. 

liiiess still cleaves to us — ^liow our unholy desires 
seek to be gratified. We pray for strength against 
these our enemies. That the flesh may be subdued, 
we pray for the Spirit to resist it— to crucify it. 
We pray that, as Thou hast saved us from the pun- 
ishment of sin, Thou wilt grant us the Spirit, that 
we may be wholly freed from the power of sin. 
We would realize more of the joy of heaven while 
we walk on earth — that joy which follows the con- 
quest of sin. our Father, we hate ourselves on 
account of sin — we grieve that our hearts should 
wander from Thee for a single moment. Take pos- 
session of us — occupy us — subdue us to the obedi- 
ence of faith. Be Thou in us the conqueror of sin, 
the promoter of holiness. Purify us from the de- 
filement that belongs to the flesh, and sanctify us 
by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. 

We are conscious that much imperfection has 
marked our service this day, and that we might 
have done more for Thy glory had we been stronger 
in the faith, and more impressed with a sense of Thy 
love. Oh, shed abroad that love in our hearts by 
the Holy Ghost, we beseech thee, that we may ever 
walk under the abiding influence and constraining 
power of the love of Jesus. Teach us not only to 
feel, but to act like those who are no longer their 
own, but are bought with a price — even with the 
price of the Saviour's blood. 

But, gracious Lord, we would not only pray 
to Thee for what we need, we would also praise Thee 



PRATERS, 95 

for what we have received. We praise Thee for 
having spared us from merited condemnation. We 
praise Thee that thou didst not give us over to a re- 
probate mind. We praise Thee that thou hast plucked 
us as brands from the burning. We praise Thee for 
whatever of sin we have been empowered to con- 
quer. Praise be to Thee for the unspeakable gift 
of Thy Son Jesus, through whom all blessings flow 
to us. Oh that, as we ought, we may praise Thee 
now on earth more perfectly, and sing to the praise 
of Thy redeeming love in the courts of Thy heavenly 
glory. 

And do Thou, Lord, the God of grace, who 
liast called us into thine eternal glory by Christ 
Jesus, after that we have suffered a while make us 
perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle us. Do Thou, the 
very God of peace, sanctify us wholly ; and may 
our whole spirits, and souls, and bodies be preserved 
blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
To Him, with Thyself, and the Holy Ghost, be all 
honor and glory, for ever. Amen. 



H 



WEDNESDAY MORNING. 

OLY Lord God of Hosts ! thou author of our 
being ; thou Lord of heaven and earth ! How 
could we have dared to speak to Thee, or to raise 
our eyes to the place where Thine honor dwelleth, 
hadst thou not opened a way of access through the 
Lord Jesus Christ ! He is our only Saviour. Lord, 



96 PBATEB8, 

we disclaim all others, and cling to His cross as the 
only refuge of our guilty souls. 

We grieve to think of our base ingratitude to- 
ward Thee, who art so worthy of the best of our 
liearts' affections. We are pained to think what 
trifles draw our hearts from Thee, and how they are 
prone to settle upon earthly things. God, for 
Thy mercy s sake, give us the victory over ourselves. 
We acknowledge that we are insufiBcient, of our- 
selves, to control the passions of our minds. We ask 
deliverance from self. our Father, hear us, and 
send the Holy Ghost into our hearts, to reign and 
rule over .every thought within. We wish to be 
brought under the power of the Spirit. We long 
for the conquest of sin, for the subduing of self to 
the service of Jesns ; and that the leaven of the 
Spirit may work itself into all we think, or do, or 
say. We wish that the life which we now live may 
be by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us, 
and orave Himself for us. We wish to have sin and 
the flesh crucified. We would not spare the most 
beloved earthly object that interferes with our de- 
votedness to Thee. Lord, we desire to be wholly 
Thine. Take from us what Thou wilt, so that Thv 
love be left to us. Oh, hide not the light of Thy 
blessed countenance, our Father, and we shall be 
happy, though stripped of every earthly ^posses- 
sion. — Whom have we in heaven to plead for us, 
but Thee^ adorable Jesus? Whom, then, upon 
earth should we desire in comparison of Thee? 



PBAYER8. 97 

Other lords have dominion over us ; but from 
hencefoi'tli thou shalt be our all-in-all. We make 
not this promise, Lord, trusting to our own 
strength, for we have had painful experience of our 
helplessness. But we make it in reliance upon 
Thy promise, that thou wilt give the Holy Spirit 
to them that ask it ; that Spirit which is able 
to keep the lamp of love alive. Dispel every cloud 
of unbelief, and warm our hearts with the beams of 
Thy love. Knit our hearts to Thee in a bond that 
no earthly power can sever, so that we may each 
be enabled to say — ^'To me to live is Christ — to 
die is gain.'' 

We beseech Thee also, our Heavenly Father, for 
our country, that its rulers may be guided and gov- 
erned by Thee, and that they who frame our laws 
may be directed from above. Make our judges a 
terror to evil doers, and restrain iniquity in our 
land. Establish Thy fear in the hearts of our fel- 
low-citizens that they may be gathered with us final- 
ly into Thine everlasting kingdom through Jesus 
Christ. 

And, blessed Jesus, who art dishonored by the 
works of Thine own hands, and despised by a world 
which Thou hast made, teach us so to love Thee as 
to love the time of Thine appearing, and to pray, 
with all our hearts, that Thy kingdom may come, 
when Thy will shall be done on earth as it is in 
heaven ; when Thou shalt bind the enemy, and rule 
the world in righteousness. From the power of 
5 



98 PRATERS, 

the enemy of our souls, do Thou this day deliver us, 
and enable us to maintain an unceasing conflict with 
whatever opposes our spiritual growth and enjoy- 
ment. 

Now, unto Him that is able to keep us from fall- 
ing, to the only wise God our Saviour, with the 
Father and the Holy Ghost, be glory, majesty, do- 
minion, and power, both now and for ever. Amen. 

WEDNESDAY EVENING. 

UNTO Thee do we lift up our hearts, Thou 
that dwellest in the heavens. In Thy great 
mercy hear us ; and answer the prayers and accept 
the praises which we present unto Thee, in the name 
of Jesus. 

Lord, teach us how to pray. Solemnize our 
hearts. Enable us to withdraw our minds from 
worldly thoughts, and to worship Thee with spirit- 
ual minds. Forever blessed be Thy name, for the 
privilege of praying to Thee — of telling Thee all 
our wants, and griefs, and sadness ; and for the as- 
surance, that, for the worthiness of Jesus, Thou 
dost bestow upon us Thy heavenly blessings. We 
have much to grieve over, Lord. Our coldness, 
and deadness, and slothfulness in Thy service, cause 
us grief and pain. We Avould love Thee more, and 
serve Thee better ; but our hearts are still too fond 
of earthly things ; and often have we to draw our- 
selves into Thy presence, when we should run with 



PBA TEES. 99 

the fullness of deliglit. For the sake of Thy dear 
Son, grant us more of the Spirit. Nourish the life 
which Thou hast given us. Keep up the power of 
religion in our souls. Lead us to enlarged views 
of the Redeemer's glory, and deeper views of the 
evil of our hearts. Show us more of the evil of sin, 
and the beauty of holiness. Strengthen us by the 
Spirit, to imitate the example of Jesus ; and give 
us the mind that dwelt in Him. 

We ask for great things, our Father ; but 
Thou hast encouraged us so to do ; Thou lovest to 
bless Thy poor weak ones, who cry unto Thee, and 
who, mourning their deficiency, look to Thee for 
strength. Blessed Jesus, Thou art our strength. 
Be Thou strong in us. And may Thy Spirit be 
powerful in us this day. We have much to contend 
with, — the world, with all its seducing pomp and 
vanity — the flesh, with all its unholy desires— the 
devil, with all his art and power, are leagued 
against us. But give us the Spirit, our God, and 
we shall be strengthened to resist. 

Increase Thy gifts to all who know Thee, Lord. 
Make Thy Church a glory in the earth. Call 
many more to be faithful preachers of Thy holy 
word. Teach those who minister in holy things 
to be less of this world, and more ensamples of holi- 
ness, and of deadness to the things of this passing 
life. Reveal by the Spirit the neglected truths that 
lead to personal holiness. Enable us to cease from 
man, and to follow the unerring^ rule of Tliv word 
of truth. 



100 PRATERS. 

For Thy care of us during tlie past day, we give 
Thee thanks, Lord. Take us, and all whom we 
desire to remember in prayer before Thee, under 
Thy watchful providence this night. Preserve us 
through the remaining part of the day of life ; and 
may we be blessed by Thee, to rejoice at the close 
of this day in the prospect of endless glory througli 
Jesus. To Him, to Thyself, heavenly Father, and 
to the Holy Ghost, be endless praise ascribed. 
Amen. 

THURSDAY MORNHsTG. 

/^ THOU whose name is Jehovah — the self-ex- 
^-^ istent God, whose creatures we are, we live 
upon Thy bounty ; it is our duty to acknowledge 
our dependence on Thee, and worship at Thy foot- 
stool from day to day. We praise Thee that Thou 
hast permitted us to do so this morning ; that Thou 
hast even provided a way of access to Thyself, 
through the Lord Jesus Christ ; and that, by Him, 
we can not only come with acceptance, but with the 
expectation of being supplied, from Thy bounty, 
with whatever is needful for time and for eter- 
nity. 

We know not, Lord, what is for our good. 
We dare not, therefore, ask for any thing temporal, 
beyond the mere necessaries of life. Give us food 
and raiment, and make us therewith content. We 
beseech of Thee to bless us with plenty from Thy 



PRATERS. 101 

spiritual store. Give us a deep sense of our own 
unworthiness. Show us more of tlie corruption of 
our own evil hearts, that we may trust them less, 
and cling to Thee the closer for strength to resist 
their unholy propensities. We confide in the blood 
of Jesus for the pardon of all that is past ; and we 
implore the Holy Spirit, to shed abroad the love of 
Jesus in our hearts. Give to us then, the Holv 
Spirit, to make known that love to our souls — to 
make us holy — to make us faithful, zealous, and de- 
voted witnesses for Jesus, in the midst of an ungod- 
ly world. Lord, we wish to manifest in our lives 
the power of godliness ; to be living epistles, read 
and known of all men ; to exhibit the Spirit^s work 
in subduing our flesh. Make us, Thy members, a 
temple of the Holy Ghost ; and may our lives pro- 
claim that God is in us of a truth. 

Lord, we pray for greater light and enjoyment 
in the reading of Thy holy word. We wish to feed 
upon its precious truths — to love it as the record of 
our Father's will — to prefer it to every other study. 
May we find it profitable for doctrine, reproof, cor- 
rection, instruction in righteousness ; and may we. 
by it, be thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 
Grant, Lord, that w^e may not be carried about 
with every wind of doctrine, tossed to and fro in 
doubt and danger. But may the Spirit lead us to 
a sound interpretation of Thy holy word ; so that 
we may grow up into Christ in all things, being 
nourished by the sincere milk of the word. 



102 P BAYEBS. 

Enable us to walk in wisdom toward them that 
are without — to show all forbearance in all things 
— to reprove sui in the spirit of love — and to mani- 
fest, that while we hate the sin, we are moved by 
kindness towards those whom we are called to re- 
buke. Teach us, also, to correct those faults in our- 
selves which we discover in others. 

Look in pity, we pray Thee, upon our native land. 
Heal all divisions and distractions ; and pour the 
oil of the Spirit upon its troubled waters. May 
that righteousness which exalteth a nation be ours ; 
and put away from us that sin which is a reproach 
to any people. Have mercy upon those its inhab- 
itants who are sitting in darkness, and in the sha- 
dow of death. Raise up faithful men to declare to 
them the Gospel of Thy grace. Open a door for 
the effectual preaching of Thy holy w^ord ; and bless 
those that read it by the power of the Spirit ; so 
that Thy truth may be known amongst men, Thy 
saving health to all this nation. 

Accept our thanks for the blessings of the past 
night ; for peace, protection, and health. Keep us 
this day in Thy faith and fear. May we walk as 
in Thy presence, assured that there is not a thought 
in our hearts but Thou knowest it altogether j and 
may we do all things to Thy glory. 

May the very God of peace sanctify us wholly ; 
and we pray that our whole spirits, souls, and bod- 
ies, may be preserved blameless, unto the day of the 
glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. May 



PRAYERS, 103 

we then appear with Him in glory. We ask all 
for the same Saviour ^s sake. Amen. 



THURSDAY EVENING. 

TT^ATHER of all mercies, who hast watched over 
■*- us during this daj", and brought us to the close 
of it in safety ; before we lay ourselves down to 
take our rest, we would commend our bodies and 
souls to Thy careful keeping. 

Blessed Jesus, through Thee we now come to the 
throne of grace ; and through Thee we look to be 
cleansed from the defilement which we have con- 
tracted in our walk through the world this day. 
Blot out as a cloud our transgressions, and as a 
thick cloud our sins ; for we return unto Thee, be- 
cause Thou hast redeemed us. 

Enter not into judgment with Thy servants, 
Lord, for in Thy sight shall no flesh living be justi- 
fied. We do not say that we have no sin, for then 
should we deceive ourselves : but we confess our 
sin, and believe that Thou art faithful and just to 
forgiy^e it us. Do so, precious Saviour, we beseech 
Thee, and remove from us the guilt of all that our 
consciences, this night, accuse us of. 

But we would not only praise Thee for deliver- 
ance from the punishment of sin ; we most earnest- 
ly pray to be delivered from its power. The law 
of sin that is in our members, is our misery. When 
we would do good, evil has been present with us ; 



104 PBAYEB8, 

and the evil that we would not, that we have too 
often done. We therefore come to Thee, this night, 
as well for the pardon of the sins of the day, as for 
strength for the future. If another day be added 
to our lives, show Thy power in enabling us to cru- 
cify sin. Send the Holy Ghost into our hearts, 
that we may be sanctified, body, soul, and spirit. 
Grant that all carnal affections may die in us ; and 
that all things, belonging to the Spirit, may live 
and grow in us 5 and being fed by the manna of 
Thy word, and the water of the Spirit, may grow 
daily in grace, and in the knowledge and love of 
the Lord Jesus. 

But Thou, Lord, who searchest all hearts, canst 
alone tell whether we all thus hate sin, and thirst 
for holiness. Oh, if there be any present, who use 
these words without feeling them ; who join in an 
expression of hatred to sin, yet love it in their 
hearts, and cannot bear to part with it, in mercy 
visit them with Thy salvation. Create within them 
clean hearts, Lord, and renew right spirits with- 
in them. Convince them that the wages of sin is 
death ; and make known to them that eternal life, 
which is the gift of God, through Jesus. Oh, give 
us all one heart, and one mind, and one spirit, that 
none, now kneeling before Thee, may be wanting 
amongst the number of Thy people : but that our 
names may be written in the Lamb's book of life. 

Bless us, Lord, in our several stations. Bless 
those who rule — bless those who serve. May we, 



PRATERS. 105 

in our respective callings, adorn the doctrine of 
God our Saviour, in all things ; and while we sup- 
port the name of Christian, may we not contradict 
it, by the practice of what is hateful to Christ. 

Lord, we would be wholly Thine. We yield 
ourselves as clay into the hands of the potter. 
Make ns holy vessels, meet for our master^s use ; 
and fill us with the Spirit, in all such power, as 
Thou seest it right we should possess. Come, Ho- 
ly Spirit, come ! Purify us — illuminate us — sanc- 
tify us— seal us — that we may perfect holiness in 
the fear of the Lord. 

To the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be 
now ascribed all praise, majesty, and dominion, for 
ever. Amen. 

FRID AY MORNING. 

A LMIGHTY GOD, who hast commended Thy 
-^-^ love to us, in that, whilst we were yet sin- 
ners, Thou didst give Thy Son to die upon the cross 
for us all ; be Thou mercifully pleased to show us 
the light of Thy countenance, and bless us, and com- 
fort us, while we now draw near to worship Thee. 
We come through Jesus. We trust alone to the 
atoning blood of Jesus. We acknowledge no other 
Mediator but Jesus. All our dependence is in Him 
for time and eternity. 

Thou art greatly to be praised, O Lord, for the 
love Thou hast shown to us guilty sinners. We 
5^ * 



106 P BAY BBS, 

have rebelled against Thee ; we have provoked 
Thee to anger ; we have been transgressors against 
Thy laws ; and thou wouldst have been just hadst 
Thou condemned us to the lake of fire. Yet in mercy 
Thou hast spared us, and hast made known to us 
Thy willingness to save, by the Son of Thy love. 
Just, indeed, wilt Thou be in condemning those who 
neglect or reject that Saviour. And yet, Lord, we 
should have rejected Him, if Thou hadst not turned 
our hearts. Be Thy name adored, for those amongst 
us who believe ; be Thy mercy entreated for those 
who yet believe not. Give them the light of the 
knowledge of Thy glory, in the face of Jesus Christ. 
Cause the day-spring from on high to visit them. 

And let none of us, O Lord, be satisfied with a 
mere salvation from the punishment of sin. Give 
us such a hungering and thirsting for righteousness 
— such an ardent love for holiness — as will make 
us press after an abundant entrance into Thy heav- 
enly kingdom. We desire that whatever others do 
we may serve the Lord. We therefore pray of 
Thee, blessed Lord Jesus, who hast received the 
Spirit for the Church, to grant it us in all the power 
and measure that Thou seest we require. We pray 
Thee to cleanse this tabernacle of flesh by the Spirit. 
Mortify our carnal desires ; lead us to the higher 
enjoyment of the spiritual things ; increase our love 
to Thee. For this we need, we ask, the Spirit ; and 
may we be raised above the world, to live in 
happy, peaceful waiting for Thy coming. Maintain 



PRAYERS. 107 

this happy frame in those to whom Thou hast given 
it, and bestow it upon those wlio have it not. Cut 
Thou those tics that bind our souls to earth. Enable 
us to walk through this world as Jesus did — as 
strangers in a barren land. Oh, we grieve to feel 
how much our hearts still cling to the things of 
earth. Strengthen us for the time that remains ; 
and enable us to rejoice in the hope of the glory of 
God. Fill us with the Spirit, that the love of 
Christ may constrain us to speak thereof, one with 
the other ; and to go forth, and tell to those who 
are in darkness what a precious Saviour we have 
found. 

We thank Thee, Lord, for the rest, protection, 
and preservation of the night past. We thank Thee 
that we have had whereon to lay our heads, while 
others were in want and wretchedness. Give us 
hearts to feel for their miseries, and to relieve them. 
Be thou near to us all the day long, and let not our 
hearts wander from Thee. Let Thy word be the rule 
of our lives. Thy Son our holy example, and Thy 
Spirit our heavenly teacher. Let thy glory be our 
aim in whatever we do or say ; and teach us so to 
value the joy of Thy countenance, as to make any 
sacrifice rather than lose it for a moment. Oh, shine 
upon us, our gracious Lord, at this time ; shine, and 
the clouds of unbelief shall be scattered. May 
each member of this family, being endued with the 
power of the Spirit, be brought under the influence 
of the gospel of Christ, that we may be a house- 



108 PBAYEB8. 

hold fearing God and working righteousness, that 
all anger, and wrath, and clamor, and evil speaking, 
may be put away from us ; and tliat the law and 
service of love may prevail over that of rigor or 
of fear. May the peace of God rule in all our 
hearts, and may we enjoy and exhibit the blessed- 
ness of them who dwell together in unity ; so that 
walking in the faith of the Gospel, we may all be 
found in the household of faith. 

To the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be 
everlasting praise, majesty, and dominion, now and 
for ever. Amen. 



FRIDAY EVENING. 

T>LESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scrip- 
-■^ tures to be written for our learning, and in 
those Scriptures hast revealed to us Thy love, in 
sparing not Thy Son, but delivering Him up for us 
all ; grant that by patience and comfort of Thy holy 
Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast that 
blessed hope of everlasting life. Make us to feel, 
6 Lord, that it is indeed a blessed hope — a hope, 
for the enjoyment of which may we be ready to 
part with all we possess. May Jesus be precious to 
us — more precious than thousands of gold and sil- 
ver. Oh, may our hearts rejoice in Thy salvation, 
that in sincerity we may say, Whom, have we in 
heaven but Thee, and there is none upon earth that 
we desire beside Thee. 



PRAYERS. 109 

Gracious Lord, Thou hast added to our lives 
another day. More privileges, more blessings have 
been added to our store ; and we are conscious of 
much inoTatitude. What shall we render unto Thee 
for all the benefits that we have received from 
Thee ; for life — for health — for food — for raiment 
— for preservation from a thousand evils to which 
others are exposed — for the means of grace — ^^and, 
above all^ for the hope of glory through Jesus? 
Lord, we have nothing to give which has not first 
been received from Thee. We can only add to our 
debt of gratitude, and draw a plea from all Thy 
bounties to ask Thee still for more. We do so, 
Lord. We pray Thee to add to all Thine other 
gifts the gift of the Holy Spirit, to enable us to en- 
joy them — to enjoy Jesus, to feast upon His love — ■ 
to be so united to Jesus as to lose our love for every 
unlawful earthly object, and for every lawful one 
which interferes with our devotedness to Thee. 
Enable us, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit 
to mortify the flesh, with its affections and lusts, 
which rise in opposition to Jesus, to enter gladly 
into the humiliation of Jesus, to walk through the 
world as Jesus did, a stranger to all its joys, and 
pleasures, and pursuits. Deliver us from the love 
of the world. We have promised to renounce it, 
with its pomps and vanities. But, Lord, we cannot 
do so of ourselves. Give to each of us the Holy 
Ghost, enduing us with power from on high, 
planting the love of heavenly things within us, and 



110 PEATEBS. 

mortifying our attacliment to the things of the 
world. May our old nature be so buried that the 
new man may be raised up in us. May we have 
power and strength to have victory, and to triumph 
against the devil, the world, and the flesh ; and may 
each day that brings us nearer to our eternal home, 
find us more weaned from the world, and more united 
to Christ. 

Pardon, Lord, whatever we have this day been 
guilty of, whether they be sins of commission or 
omission. Give us now such contrition of heart for 
offending against Thee, a God of love, as will make 
us more watchful over our hearts, should we be 
spared for another day. Give to us all that godly 
sorrow which worketh repentance not to be repent- 
ed of, and a thorough hatred even of the appear- 
ance of evil. Make us a holy people, that Thy name 
may be sanctified in the midst of us. 

For the blessings which we enjoy this night, accept 
our earnest expression of thankfulness. May we lie 
down at peace with Thee through Jesus ; and may 
a sense of reconciliation through His blood give 
peace and joy to our hearts. Should death or sick- 
ness this night visit us, may every fear be removed 
in the confidence of acceptance through Jesus. 
Give us that confidence, if we have it not, so that 
they who, through fear of death, were all their 
lifetime subject to bondage, may know the glorious 
liberty, from danger and from fear, which is to be 
enjoyed through the Saviour of sinners. 



PRAYEB8, 111 

Lord, hear us ; Lord, answer us ; and, Lord, 
abundantly bless us, for the sake of Thy Son, our 
Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen. 



SATURDAY MORNING. 

r\ ALMIGHTY GOD, who givest liberally to 
^^ all men, and upbraidest not, and dost not des- 
pise the meanest of Thy creatures who come unto 
Thee in the name of Jesus ; hear us, and answer us, 
while, through Hira, as the way, the truth, and the 
life, we come boldly to Thy throne of grace. 

Thou hast encouraged us to ask for great things, 
and we desire now to do so ; yet not for the things 
of this world — for its riches, its honors, or its goods, 
which might prove a curse instead of a blessing : 
but we ask for spiritual things — for the pardon of 
daily sin, through the blood of Jesus — for an assur- 
ance of that pardon, speaking peace to our souls — 
for an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit, en- 
abling us successfully to resist the temptation of the 
evil one, and to manifest in our lives the power of 
the grace of God. These, blessed Lord, are large 
petitions, but Thou hast encouraged us to expect 
great things. We acknowledge that we have not, 
because we asked not — that we have been straiten- 
ed in ourselves, and not in Thee — that our conquest 
over sin might have been greater, had we waited 
upon Thee more for the Spirit. Oh, then, now that 
Thou hast put it into our hearts to ask, satisfy our 



112 PBATEB8. 

largest desires, and give us all that we stand in 
need of. Oh, make ns holy, for the Saviour's sake, 
whatever else Thou art pleased to deny. 

We give Thee thanks, Lord, for Thy preser- 
vation of us during the night past. We might have 
perished by fire, or have been visited by the pesti- 
lence that walketh in darkness. Oh, how great is 
Thy goodness to us, when we reflect how many have 
spent the night in agony of body or of mind, while 
we have been kept in health and quietness. Lord, 
we would praise Thee for these things ; and as ev- 
ery good gift Cometh from Thee, we beseech Thee 
to enable us to show fortli that praise, not only with 
our lips, but in our lives. 

And now that we enter upon the last day of the 
week, we would ask tlie spirit of self-examination, 
that we may review those days that are gone, and 
be humbled to confess, and strengthened to forsake, 
all that conscience accuses us of. May we remem- 
ber that this is the preparation of the Sabbath. 
Make it so to us, we pray Thee. Enable us to set 
our house in order, and so to arrange our worldly 
business, that we may serve Thee without distrac- 
tion on Thy holy day, should we be allowed to en- 
joy it. 

But forasmuch as we know not what a day may 
bring forth, oh, teach us to live this day as though 
it were our last ; as though we had a certainty of 
the call of death, or of the Saviour's coming, this 
night. Cut every tie which binds us to earth ; 



P BAYERS. 113 

overcome our attacliment to the things of the Avorld ; 
and enable us to sit completely loose to all but Thee. 
And ohj m.ay the roots of our affections strike deep- 
er into Jesus, that, being stablished, and grounded, 
and confirmed in Him, we may be proof against the 
storms of adversity, and the force of temptation. 
Correct, we beseech Thee, whatever Thou seest 
amiss in our tempers and dispositions. Subdue the 
risings of unholy passion ; say to the ruffled waves, 
Be still ; let meekness and humility prevail over 
harshness and pride ; and may the loving spirit of 
the Saviour be manifest in all we say or do. 

We pray of Thee to look this day upon Thy min- 
istering servants, who are to stand up on the mor- 
row to preach the Gospel of Thy grace. Be with 
them in their preparation for the holy work. May 
the Holy Ghost so fill them with the love of Jesus, 
and the love of souls for His sake, that they may 
speak that they do know, and testify that they have 
seen and felt of the riches of redeeming love. Feed 
their own souls while they prepare to feed their 
flocks, and cause that an abundant blessing may 
follow their labor in the Lord. 

Grant these our petitions, O Lord, for Jesus 
Christ's sake, our only Saviour and Redeemer. 
Amen. 



114 PBAYEB8, 



SATURDAY EVENING. 

/^ GOD, whose nature and property is ever to 
^^ have mercy and to forgive, receive our humble 
petitions, which we present to Thee in the name of 
Jesus. 

We adore Thy holy name, that when Jesus offer- 
ed not expiation for angels that sinned, we were 
visited by Him in mercy, and that for us reconcilia- 
tion has been made. Forbid it, gracious Lord, that 
we should reject so great a benefit, or slight such 
wondrous love. Apply to each of us the fall virtue 
of that Saviour's sacrifice. Cause us to rejoice that 
our sins are blotted out, and that, through Jesus, 
we stand complete in all the will of God. 

But, Lord, we confess that we are bound with the 
chain of our sins ; that sin has often dominion over 
us ; and that we are too often led captive by Satan 
at his will. We implore Thee, of Thy great mer- 
cy, to loose us ; to deliver us from the love of sin ; 
to give us the Spirit to subdue the flesh ; and to 
keep us in the obedience of Christ. The ways of 
sin are slavery ; Thy service is perfect freedom. 
Make us free, then, blessed Lord, not only from the 
punishment of sin, by the blood of Jesus, but from 
the dominion of sin, by the power of the Holy 
Ghost ; that we may sanctify the Lord God in our 
hearts ; that we may be able to cease from sin, to 
walk in holiness and righteousness all the days of 



PRAYERS. 115 

our life, and to enjoy the holy liberty of the cliil- 
drea of God, 

We mourn to think how much the things of the 
world prevailed to draw our hearts from Thee ; what 
toys and trifles pleased us, when we found but little 
pleasure in Jesus. Oh, deliver us from a worldly 
spirit. Let us feel that this world is not our rest : 
.that it is polluted ; and that all that is in the world — 
the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride 
of life — is not of the Father, but is of the world. 
Heavenly Father, may we be crucified to the world, 
and the world to us, so that we may serve Thee with 
a single eye, and live for Thee alone. 

We bless Thee, at the remembrance of Thine un- 
merited mercies. We praise Thee, that we, who 
have provoked Thee so often to anger, who have 
grievously sinned and rebelled against Thy laws, 
have not been visited by sudden judgment, and 
doomed to suffer in the lake of fire. Oh, what a 
mercy that we have been spared, and not cut off in 
the midst of our iniquities ! We call upon our souls 
to praise Thee, Lord, and all that is within 
us to bless Thy holy name. Let us not spend that 
life which we have forfeited, and which Thou hast 
so mercifully spared, on sin or vanity, but take it 
all to Thyself. Take it, Lord, for we cannot give 
it Thee. Make us Thine. Make us, as Thy mem- 
bers, a temple of the Holy Ghost, and reign within 
us, lord over every thought, and word and action. 

Look in mercy, we pray Thee, upon all who are 



116 PBAYEB8. 

in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other ad- 
versity. Give them patience under their sufferings, 
and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. May 
Thy chastisement yield the peaceable fruits of right- 
eousness in those wlio are exercised by it. 

Have pity on all prisoners and captives . Lead 
them to Jesus, who in His Gospel proclaims the 
opening of the prison to them that are bound. Ee- 
claim the backsliders. May they grieve to have 
forsaken a loving Saviour, and to have preferred, 
before Him, the wages of iniquity. Put words into 
their mouths, that they may return and say, " Take 
away all iniquity, and receive us graciously.'' 

Forgive, we beseech thee, Lord, the sins of the 
day, the sins of the week, for Jesus' sake. We 
would lie down at peace with Thee this night 
through Jesus, so that if this night our souls should 
be required of us, we may be found in Jesus, accept- 
ed in Him, the Beloved. 

Every prayer we present unto Thee, in his name. 
Grant to us needful rest this night; and if we 
awake in life to see the Sabbath, may the Spirit meet 
us with an early blessing, and tune our hearts to 
sing the praise of Jesus. Amen. 

SUNDAY MORNING. 

O ALMIGHTY and Eternal God, who hast so 
loved a guilty world as to give Thy Son Jesus 
Christ to die upon the cross for its sin, we draw near 



PRAYERS. 117 

to Thee through Him, and implore acceptance for the 
Savioiir^s sake. 

We give Thee thanks, eternal Jehovah, for the 
blessing of another Sabbath ; that we are called 
from earthly cares to spend this day with Thee. A 
day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. But, 
Lord, we have spent many Sabbaths without any 
enjoyment of Thee. We have satisfied ourselves 
with the form, while destitute of the power of god- 
liness. We have made confession of sins, for which 
we never mourned, and made promises of amend- 
ment, which we never kept. We desire that the 
time past of our lives may suffice us to have 
wrought such folly and deceit. We know, Lord, 
that we cannot enjoy an eternal Sabbath, unless Thy 
Sabbaths on earth be the joy of our heart. We 
therefore pray most earnestly that Thou wilt send 
into our hearts the Holy Spirit, that we may see 
Thee and enjoy Thee in all the ordinances of this 
day. Let all Thy goodness pass before us, that we 
may be led to admire the wonders of Thy love. 
Make us hate the sins that caused the sufferings of 
the Saviour, and adore the love which carried Him 
through them all. blessed Jesus, as Thou didst 
die, cause sin to die in us ; as Thou didst rise from 
death, so make us rise to newness of life ; and as 
Thou dost employ Thy risen life to the glory of the 
Father, so make us feel that being bought with a 
price, we are no longer our own, but should glorify 
Thee with our bodies and our spirits, which are 



118 PRATERS. 

Thine. We would make a solemD surrender of 
ourselves to Thee this day, to be aud to do all that 
Thou dost wish. 

Be with us while we attend Thy house of prayer. 
Solemnize our hearts with a sense of Thy presence, 
and gladden our hearts with the manifestation of 
Thy love. Remove from us all wandering of mind 
and levity of spirit. Let us not do our own ways, 
nor find our own pleasure, nor speak our own words, 
on this Thy holy day ; but make it our care to imi- 
tate on earth w^hat we hope to enjoy with Thee in 
heaven. Meet us in private prayer, and enable us 
to employ part of this day in self-examination and 
study of thy Holy Word. If we are employed for 
the benefit of others, may we remember that thy 
Spirit alone can bless our labors ; and for that, let 
us be diligent in prayer. Prepare our hearts to re- 
ceive the seed of heavenly truth ; and may none of 
us harden those hearts against the convictions of 
conscience. 

We beseech Thee to bless Thy servants who are 
commissioned by Thee to preach Thy truth this day. 
Teach them, that they may teach others. May they 
not trust to the words which man's wisdom teach- 
eth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing 
spiritual things with spiritual. Cause many to know 
that Thy Gospel is the power of God unto salva- 
tion, by leading them to believe its precious truths. 
May the Holy Spirit so accompany the word 
preached, that this may be a day of rejoicing to 



PRAYERS, 119 

many, by loosing their spiritual bonds, enlightening 
their spiritual darkness, remoying their unbelieying 
fears, and manifesting Jesus in the beauty of 
holiness. 

Most gracious Lord, who hast bestowed upon 
us the unspeakable gift of the Gospel of Christ, 
we would remember before Thee those heathen 
nations who now sit in that darkness which 
once enyeloped our land. Lord, haye mercy upon 
them. And whilst Thy Gospel is a witness among 
all nations, may it be the power of God to the sal- 
vation of many who hear it. Get glory to Thyself 
by the conversion of sinners ; and add unto Thy 
Church daily from among the Gentiles such as 
should be saved. 

Lord of the Sabbath, hear our prayers, and may 
this Sabbath be to us a foretaste of eternal rest, for 
Jesus Christ^s sake. Amen. 



SUNDAY EVENING. 

llyffOST gracious Lord, who hast added to our 
-^^ many mercies the enjoyment of another Sab- 
bath, and hast allowed us this day to hear the mes- 
sage of thy full and free salyation through the Lord 
Jesus Christ, bless us while we now worship Thee 
in his name. 

Conscious that we are unable to retain the good 
seed of Thy Word, or to bring any fruit to perfec- 



120 PBATEBS. 

tion without the power of the Spirit in our hearts, 
we, Thine unworthy servants, beseech Thee now to 
give that Spirit to us. We have this day had life 
and death, blessing and cursing, laid before us. 
Empower us to refuse the evil and to choose the 
good. Increase whatever convictions may have 
been forced upon our minds by the truth, and 
strengthen whatever resolutions we may have 
formed of living more devotedly to Thee. Grant 
that the seed sown may not be plucked away by the 
enemy of our souls ere it take root. Break our stony 
hearts, that they may not resist that heavenly seed. 
Eemove the weeds of worldly cares, which would 
choke the tender blade ; and may our hearts be so 
wrought upon by the Spirit, that they may bring 
forth an hundred fold of spiritual fruit to Thy glory. 
And while we feel humble before Thee under 
a sense of guilt, and of the imperfection that 
cleaves to our very best services, we would also 
praise Thee for whatever enjoyment Thou hast given 
us in the service and ordinances of the day. Where- 
in we have failed in this experience, give us still to 
enjoy it before we retire to rest ; that our souls may 
not end. this day of spiritual feasting in spiritual 
heaviness, nor suffer hunger wliile Thy table is 
spread for their spiritual repast. Lord, we are 
straightened in ourselves, and not in Thee. We have 
not, because we ask not aright. We ask with cold- 
ness and deadness, when we should cry unto Thee 
with fervent supplication and agonizing prayer. 



PBAYEB8. 121 

Pour upon us the Spirit of grace and supplica- 
tion, that we may pray as we should ; tliat, praying 
in the Spirit, heaven may be opened to our pray- 
ers ; and that our souls may be abundantly satisfied 
out of the store-house of Thy grace. 

AVe desire this night, Lord, to promise before 
Thee, with all solemnity, that, the Spirit being our 
helper, we will no longer endeavor to serve two 
masters, but that, renounciug the service of the 
world and sin, we will take Thee as our Master, 
our Father, and our God. Confirm this resolution. 
Record it by the Spirit upon the tablet of our 
hearts. Give us strength to adhere to it, and to 
renounce all that the world admires and esteems, 
which stands in the way of our entire surrender to 
Thee. 

Again we pray Thee> Lord, confirm our best 
resolutions, in Thy strength formed this night. 
And may the power of the Holy Ghost so work 
within us, that if spared to see another day, we may 
be enabled to resist and overcome the temptations 
by which we may be assailed, to return to the 
world and its ways. Oh, for grace to take up our 
cross and follow Jesus, though exposed to trial and 
persecution for His sake ! Keep us mindful that it 
is they who sufi*er with Jesus here, who shall reign 
with Him in His kingdom ; while they who refuse 
the cross and deny Him, shall be denied before the 
angels of God. 

Lord, hear us ; Lord, answer us ; and 
6 



122 PEATEB8. 

Lord, abundantly bless us, for Jesus Christ's sake. 
Amen. 

MONDAY MORNING. 

f^ MERCIFUL GOD, who hast promised that 
^-^ where two or three meet together in Thy 
name, there Thou wilt be in the midst of them, falfil 
that promise to us, Thy waiting people, who come 
to worship Thee this morning, in the name of 
Jesus. 

Another day Thou hast added to our lives, and 
dost call upon us to show whether we will be doers 
of the word which ^e heard upon the past Sab- 
bath, or whether we have been but forgetful hearers. 
Lord, the desire of our hearts is to follow Thee 
fully. But we need more power than we can com- 
mand. We are surrounded by temptations, and our 
own evil heart is the worst of our foes. We implore 
of Thee to take pity on us, and to send the Holy 
Ghost, to confirm us in the love and practice of 
godliness. 

blessed Lord, leave us not to walk alone this 
day through the dangers by which we are beset, 
but be Thou with us, that we may lean upon the 
arm of our beloved. Fill us with such love to Thee 
as will enable us to brave the scorn or persecution 
of the world, in following Tliy holy will ; and teach 
us to count all things but loss for the excellen- 
cy "of the knowledge of Christ. Our business in life 



PRAYERS, 123 

is to live to Thy glory. While others, who know 
Thee not, are careful and troubled about many 
things, may the one tiling needful occupy the first 
place in our hearts this day. Set a watch, Lord, 
before our lips, that we offend not with our tongue. 
Put away from us, not only evil speaking, lying, and 
slandering, but remove all levity of speech, of man- 
ner, or of thought. Give to us that spiritual mind 
which is life and peace ; and may our care this 
day be, to maintain communion with Thee at any 
sacrifice. 

Make us not only true and just in all our deal- 
ings, but may we, after the command of Jesus, be 
willing to suffer wrong or take reproach, rather than 
break a bond of peace or charity. Enable us to im- 
prove every opportunity of usefulness that may oc- 
cur, either by relieving the needy, though by doing 
so we need to deny ourselves ; or by speaking a 
word in season, though we may be exposed to re- 
proach for our zeal. Grant us, O blessed Jesus, so 
to live upon Thee, to feed upon Thee, to enjoy the 
prospect of being with Thee in glory, that we may 
not be anxious for the possession of those worldly 
things which are the objects of the world^s ambition. 
Be Thou our portion, and we shall be therewith 
content, take what Thou mayest aw^ay. 

Have pity, Lord, upon all who are in want and 
wretchedness. While we are in the enjoyment of 
plenty, give us a heart to feel for those who suffer 
from hunger and nakedness ; and never let us waste 



324 PBAYER8, 

on luxury or vanity, what miglit relieve the miser- 
ies of numbers in our land. Teach us to do to 
others what we would wish to have done to our- 
selves. 

. And now, gracious Lord, we pray Thee to be with 
us through the whole of this day. May we take 
nothing in hand but what is warranted by Thy will 
and word, and may all we undertake for Thy glory 
prosper. For Thee we would labor, for Thee we 
would suffer shame. Grant to us the light of Thy 
countenance, and all will be well. Now, to God 
only wise, be glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



MONDAY EVENING. 

r\ LORD GOD, who hast given Thy Son to die 
^-^ for sinners, and hast, through Him, proclaimed 
peace and good-will towards men ; we enter into 
Thy presence, through His mediation, to enjoy the 
privilege of communion with Thee. 

We accept it, Lord, as an unspeakable favor, 
that we are allowed to speak unto Thee ; and more, 
that we can be assured of Thy willingness to re- 
ceive and bless us in Jesus. Grant us now the 
Spirit of prayer and of supplication. May the 
Spirit sanctify our hearts ; and our thoughts being 
withdrawn from worldly things, may we have joy 
in communion with Thee, 



PBATERS, 125 

We give Thee thanks, blessed Lord, for Thy 
care and protection of us during the past day. We 
are unworthy of the least of Thy mercies ; and yet 
Thou art merciful to our infirmities, and compas- 
sionate to our wants. Thou art, indeed, a God of 
love. Give us of Thy loving Spirit, O Lord. May 
Ave be changed into Thine image, from glory to 
glory, even by the Spirit of the Lord. May all the 
evil tempers and passions that belong to our carnal 
nature be subdued by the Spirit. May love, joy, 
peace, long-suffering, gentleness, and meekness, the 
fruit of Tliy Spirit, prevail over the works of 
the flesh. Conform us to the likeness of Jesus. 
Enable us to imitate the example of Jesus, who 
pleased not Himself, but lived and died even for His 
enemies. Give us the universal love of Jesus to 
the world, the peculiar love of Jesus to the Church. 
Crucify all selfish feelings within us ; and may the 
subdued and chastened Spirit of Christ be ever 
manifest in us. Enlarge our hearts to love our en- 
emies ; and remove for ever all malice or revenge. 
As we believe Thou hast forgiven us, make us wil- 
ling from the heart to forgive those who may have 
injured us. 

our Father, we pray Thee, that if any here 
present are yet uninfluenced by Thy Spirit, Thou 
wilt mercifully bestow it upon them for Christ's 
sake. Do Thou, Lord Jesus ^ who art the good 
Shepherd, lead them to Thy fold, and mark them as 
the sheep of Thy pasture. Teach us all to know 



126 PBAYEBS. 

our hearts, that we may not deceive ourselves with 
the form of godliness, nor expect salvation while 
we walk in indulged sin. Wash us all in the blood 
of Jesus. Purify us all by the Holy Spirit ; and seal 
us with that Spirit unto the day of redemption. 

As Thou hast been about our path this day, 
Lord, so be Thou about our bed this night. Give us 
rest and refreshment for our v/eary bodies ; and if 
a new day be added to our lives, may new supplies 
of Thy Spirit be vouchsafed, to enable us to spend 
that day in Thy service. Keep us from day to day, 
in prayer, in watchfulness, in activity, and in peace 
with Thee, through Jesus, till our day of life is 
spent, and our sun shall set in glory. Grant all, 
heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 



TUESDAY MORNING. 

f'\ LORD, our Heavenly Father, Almighty and 
^^ Everlasting God, who hast safely brought us 
to the beginning of this day, look with pity on those 
here assembled in Thy name, and in dependence 
upon the Lord Jesus, to worship at Thy throne of 
grace. 

Thou hast mercifully answered the prayers whicli 
we offered up on the last evening ; Thou hast pre- 
served us from the perils and dangers of the night, 
and we are here to thank Thee for Thy mercy. Bat, 
gracious Lord, we need a continuance of that mercy 



PRAYEBS. 127 

from day to day. We cannot walk this day in the 
strength of yesterday. We are dependent on Thee 
for everything ; make us content to be so, that Thou 
mayest have all the glory. Hear ns now, for the 
sake of Jesus, while we renew our petitions, and 
make our requests known unto Thee in prayer. 

Blessed Lord, we need supplies both for our 
bodies and for our souls. We ask Thee, then, as 
regards the things of life, to give what is required 
to preserve our bodies in health for Thy service. 
We covet not luxury, to feed the cravings of an un- 
lawful appetite ; nor clothing, to adorn these taber- 
nacles of clay. But give us food and raiment as 
Thou seest fit, and teach us to be therewith content. 
For our hungry souls we now desire spiritual food. 
Oh, that we hungered less for the meat that perishes, 
and more for that which endures unto everlasting- 
life ! Give that hungering and thirsting after 
righteousness to those amongst us who have it not, 
and satisfy the desires of those within whom Thou 
hast already created it. 

ever blessed Lord, come Thou and take posses- 
sion of our hearts. Cause us to feel the power of 
Thy love. We would be crucified with Christ to all 
the tilings of time and sense. We would enter into 
the valley of humiliation with Him — partake of His 
sorrows, and share in His griefs. We would have 
our will so subject unto Thine, so as to lose all will 
of our own, that Thou alone be glorified. We would 
mortify self, that Thou alone mayest live within us. 



128 PRAYERS. 

We would regulate our lives, to live to Thy glory ; 
and cut off every indulgence which interferes with 
our enjoyment of Thee. We would determne to 
know nothing on earth but Jesus Christ, and Him 
crucified. 

And may the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, whose 
ofiSce it is to create these desires within us, come 
and fill us with mighty power, and strengthen us to 
accomplish what Thou dost teacli us to approve. 
May He be in us a Spirit of holiness — a Spirit of 
humility — a Spirit of boldness in the cause of Christ, 
not for our own glory, but that Jesus may be glori- 
fied by us. 

Almighty God, whom we love for the gift of 
the Son, and of the Spirit, accept our grateful but 
imperfect thanksgivings for Thine inestimable bene- 
fits. And teach us, we pray Thee, to love that Holy 
word which reveals Thy truth to us. We grieve to 
think how often we neglect it — how often we read 
it with carelessness — how often we prefer to it the 
words .of man. Give us the Spirit to see its hidden 
treasures, that we may read it, not by constraint, 
but with the joy of those whose souls are enriched 
by its store. And cause, Lord, we pray Thee, 
that it may be known and valued through the dark 
places of our land. Have mercy on those who would 
interfere to check the progress of Thy word. Give 
them to see the danger of fighting against God ; 
and reveal to them the knowledge of that truth 
which will turn their enmity into zeal for Thy glory. 



PRAYERS, 129 

Now to Thee, the Almighty God, who art able to 
keep us from falling, with the adorable Redeemer, 
and the ever blessed Spirit, three persons in one 
God, be ascribed everlasting praise, by us on earth, 
as by all in heaven. Amen. 

TUESDAY EVENING. 



A LMIGHTY GOD, Father of our Lord Jesus 
-^-^ Christ, and Father of all mercies, who hast 
shown Thy love to a guilty world by the best of 
gifts — a Saviour ; look with pity, we pray Thee, 
upon Thy most unworthy servants, who, through that 
Saviour, present ourselves before Thee, to offer our 
evening sacrifice of prayer and praise. 

Lord, we could not hope for acceptance, hadst 
thou not assured us of Thy willingness to receive 
us. Thou art a God of perfect holiness, and we are 
creatures of iniquity and rebellion. Yet hast Thou 
commended Thy love to us, in that while we were 
yet sinners, Christ died for us ; He, the just one, for 
us, the unjust, that He might bring us to Thee. But, 
gracious Lord, our own rebellious hearts would have 
refused the favor of Thy love, hadst Thou not 
overcome their hatred to holiness. Breathe still 
more into our souls the breath of a new and living 
principle, causing the death of our carnal desires, 
and quickening us to all the power of godliness. 
We want not merely to know Thy truth ; we would 
6- 



130 PRAYERS, 

feel it and practise it. To will is present with ns, 
but how to perform that which is good we know 
not. Grant to us the gift and power of the Holy 
Ghost, we pray Thee, to be in us the life of holiness 
— the instructor in righteousness — the revealer of 
Christ, and the witness with our spirits, that we are 
Thy children. 

Lord we are but babes in spiritual knowledge, 
whereas, for the time, we should be teachers of Thy 
truth to others. Make us to grow in grace, and in 
the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Deliver 
us from all spiritual indolence — from all carnal in- 
dulgence — from the pampering of the flesh, and from 
the love of ease, which will quench Thy Holy Spirit. 
May we never forget that we are in an enemy's 
country, and that we should endure hardness, as 
good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Enable us to practise 
self-denial— to keep our bodies under, and bring 
them into subjection, lest, after the profession of 
Thy truth, we should become castaways. Eemove 
the evil tempers of our hearts ; that neither anger, 
malice, revenge nor uncharitableness, may appear 
in us, who call ourselves the followers of the meek 
and forgiving Saviour. Teach us the value of time, 
we pray Thee ; that we may never waste that for 
which the ungodly would give the wealth of worlds 
at the last ; nor employ in idleness of pursuit or 
conversation, those moments for which we shall be 
called to give account. 

our God, we vield Thee our hearty thanks that 



PRAYERS. 131 

Thou hast dealt so mercifully with us — that Thou 
didst spare us when we deserved punishment 
— that Thou didst not cut us off in the midst of our 
iniquities, while the load of unpardoned sin lay 
heavy upon us ; and when our souls, had they been 
called to Thv bar, must have been doomed to most 
merited punishment. Look upon us now, we pray 
Thee ; and if any here kneeling in Thy presence, 
are yet unchanged, and careless about the things 
that belong to their peace, oh, pity them — change 
them — convert and sanctify them ; and allow them 
not to dream of safety, while they are in the utmost 
peril of perishing. Draw them to the cleansing foun- 
tain of a Saviour's blood, for the removal of past 
guilt ; and supply them with the Spirit's power, to 
sanctify them for the time to come. 

We beseech Thee, Lord, for this land, that it 
may be filled not with men only, but also with truth 
and righteousness. Bless those who are subduing 
the earth and make them Thy servants through 
Jesus Christ. Instruct our rulers, and bless our 
judges ; make our country a joy and a praise in the 
earth, and let her people be all righteous. Where- 
ever our language is spoken make it the means of 
spreading the good knowledge of our Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

Again, Lord, do we look for Thy protection 
during another night. Make us thankful that wc 
are not exposed to the sufferings which many en- 
dure from cold and nakedness. Who are we, that 



132 PBAYEBS. 

we should be protected, while others perish through 
want ? Oh, give us hearts to feel for the miseries 
of others, and to deny ourselves, that we may con- 
tribute to their relief. Hear, and answer our pray^ 
ers, Lord, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 



WEDNESDAY MORNING. 

r\ MOST MIGHTY GOD, who, though Thou 
^-^ humblest Thyself to receive the adoration of 
the heavenly host, art yet willing, for the sake of 
Jesus, to welcome even sinners, such as we are, who 
come to Thee in His name ; hear us while through 
Him we draw near to Thee in prayer, and present 
this our morning sacrifice. 

We thank Thee for the protection of the past 
night. We thank Thee that we were allowed to 
lie down in peace, and to awake in safety. Oh, 
what cause have we to praise Thee, when we con- 
sider the miseries to which others of our fellow-crea- 
tures have been exposed, and from which we have 
been preserved! How many were in want and 
wretchedness during the past night, while we were 
in ease and comfort ! How many lay upon beds of 
sickness, racked with pain and torture, while we 
were in the enjoyment of refreshing sleep ! How 
many lay down in health, and slept in death before 
this morning's light, while we are still in the land 
of the living, and are spared to hear that the door 



PRAYERS. laa 

of mercy still is open — that Jesus still waits to be 
gracious — that there is still pardon through His 
precious blood — that this is the accepted time — tlie 
day of salvation. 

Praised be the Lord God for Ilis unnumbered 
and most unmerited mercies ! Let all that is with- 
in us praise His holy name. Where should we now 
have been had death visited us during the last 
niglit? Lord, Thou knowest; and our consciencos 
know likewise. Make those of us, we pray Tliee, 
who are conscious of having rejected the Lord Jesus, 
and of being still unprepared to die, dread to spend 
another day, without life through a Saviour^s death. 
Thou art now more Avilling to give than we are to 
ask. Lord, lead us all to Jesus, that those who have 
known Him not, may this day be made acquainted 
with Him as an all-sufficient Saviour ; and that they 
who have, may know Him still more perfectly. 

Pour upon us an abundant measure of the Holy 
Ghost. Open the windows of heaven, and rain a 
gracious shower of the Spirit's blessings upon our 
thirsty souls. Cause that the wilderness Avithin 
may be turned into the garden of the Lord. We 
grieve to think that we should have found pleasure 
in those sins which caused the sufferings of the Son 
of God. May we hate them for the future ; and, 
by the power of the Spirit working in us, may the 
love of holiness be so planted in our hearts, that we 
may find more pleasure in its ways, than we ever 
had in the ways of carnal enjoyment. 



134 PBATEBS, 

May the Spirit enable us, from love to Thee, to 
conform to the precepts of Thy holy word. Lord, 
Thou hast given us many talents to employ in Thy 
service. Make us faithful stewards. Enable us to 
trust Thee for food and raiment, which Thou hast 
pledged Thyself to provide ; and may we not dis- 
trust Thee, nor disobey Thee, by laying up treasures 
on the earth. Be Thou our treasure, from day to 
day ; then, whereour treasure is will our hearts be 
also ; and our all shall be devoted to Thy service. 

Bless our relations and friends, who are yet 
wanderers from the fold of Jesus. Lord, we carry 
them in the arms of faith, and lay them before Thee 
and say, heal them for Thy mercy's sake. Pour out 
Thy Spirit upon them, Lord. Turn them from 
darkness to light, from the love of the world to the 
love of Thee. Whatever Thou mayest take from 
them of the things of this life, oh take not away Thy 
loving-kindness, but save Thou their immortal souls. 
May all who are dear to us by the ties of nature, 
be made still more dear by the stronger bonds of 
grace. 

All our prayers and praises we present unto Thee, 
Lord, in the name of Him, through whom alone 
Thou canst accept us— the Lord Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 



PBAYERS, 135 

WEDNESDAY EVENING. 

TT^ATHER of all mercies, the author of our being^ 
-^ the source of our every hope and joy, and com- 
fort, whose goodness has preserved us through 
another day, behold us here before Thee, this night, 
and enable us to worship Thee in Spirit and in 
truth. 

We are conscious of manifold transgressions — 
of unnumbered sins. Thou art all love to us, and 
we are all ingratitude towards Thee. Look not at 
us, as we are stained with sin ; but look at us in the 
face of Thine anointed. We shelter ourselves be- 
hind the Saviour ; and putting on the Lord Jesus, we 
dare to come to Thee with boldness. We are now 
complete in Him. Hear us, speaking through the 
Saviour — our substitute ; and give to us all the 
blessings which we are allowed to ask in His name. 

We would make farther confession of our sins, 
Lord. We have erred and strayed from Thee like 
lost sheep, having no will of our own to return. We 
have tried the pleasures of the world, and found 
them wanting ; we acknowledge that we have never 
enjoyed an hour^s peace in the way of sin. Thou 
much offended and much insulted Father, we turn 
unto Thee. Thou mightest justly spurn us from Thy 
presence, to reap the fruit of our deserving. But 
Thou art God, and not man, therefore we are not 
consumed — therefore have we hope — therefore do 
we now return to Thee, and say, Enter not into 



130 PEATEB8. 

judgment with Thy servants, Lord ; pardon all 
iniquity, and receive us graciously, for the sake of 
Thy beloved Son. our God, we disclaim every 
idea of acceptance now or ever, except through the 
blood of the Lord Jesus. No merits — no righteous- 
ness — no goodness have we to plead : we cling to 
the cross of Jesus, as our only refuge from the wrath 
to come. 

And now, Lord, while we praise and bless Thee 
for what Thou hast done, we would say unto Thee, 
" What wouldst Thou have us to do ? Make Thy 
way plain before our face. Open Thou our eyes 
that we may behold wondrous things out of Thy 
law. With our whole hearts do we seek Thee : 
oh, let us not wander from Thy commandments. '' 

And, our God, hear us, while we still farther 
implore of Thee to grant us the Holy Spirit, to 
subdue sin in our flesh. Sanctify us by the Spirit. 
Guide us by the Spirit. Fill us with the Spirit. 
May the Spirit lead us into all truth ; and strengthen 
us to follow what we have been taught to approve. 
Oh, for the Spirit, in power, that we may have 
power over the world, the flesh, and the devil. 

Rule our rulers, we pray Thee, Lord ; govern 
our governors, and give our senators that wisdom 
that cometh from Thee, that all their consultations 
may tend to the advancement of Thy glory and 
the good of Thy Church. May Thy Spirit rule in 
all their hearts ; and may Thy word be the rule of 
all their actions. Oh, protect us ever from unholy 



PRATEE8. 137 

laws ; and defend ns from the evil of unfaithful 
governors. 

To Thy p]'otectioii we this night commend our- 
selves, Lord. Keep us in safety both of body 
and soul, and seal us with the Holy Ghost, unto the 
day of redemption, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 



THURSDAY MORNING. 

r\ EVER BLESSED LORD, who art good and 
^-^ gracious to unthankful sinners ; who dost not 
measure Thy blessings by our deservings, but, ac- 
cording to tlie multitude of Thy mercies, dost give 
us all things that pertain to life and godliness : 
hear us, while in the name of Jesus we present our- 
selves before Thee, this morning, to draw out of 
the fulness that is treasured up in Him all needful 
strength for the wants of this day. 

Lord, we are poor and miserable, and weak, and 
helpless creatures. We have no sufficiency of our 
own ; no, not even to think a good thought. Our 
sufficiency is all of Christ. We praise Thee, bless- 
ed Saviour, that what we are not. Thou art for us ; 
that what we have not. Thou hast for us ; that while 
we are nothing, we are complete in Thee. 

our God, give us the Spirit to open to us the 
treasures of Thy holy word — to unfold to us the 
glories of the Saviour — to reveal to us that which 
the natural eye cannot see, and the natural mind can- 
not understand. Give us the Spirit to see Christ— 



138 PBAYEBS. 

to know Christ — to enjoy Christ — to \i\Q upon 
Christ. Give us the fulness of the blessing of the 
Gospel of Christ. Our souls are athirst for Thee, 
the living God. Oh, satisfy us with Thyself, and 
make us feel, from happy experience, that Thou art 
a satisfying portion. 

We know, blessed Lord, because Thou hast said 
it, that Thy ways are pleasantness, and all Thy 
paths are peace. But we wish to know it more 
from our own enjoyment. We wish to be so dead 
to the world, and crucified to the things of the 
world, that we may ever walk in those ways of 
pleasantness, and follow those paths of peace. Di- 
rect our steps, we pray Thee. May the Spirit's 
brightness dispel the darkness of our minds, and 
light our way to the fulness of the glory of Jesus. 
Thou who hast said, " Come unto me, all ye that 
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," receive 
us who throw ourselves upon that promise, and 
come unto Thee now for the Spirit to rest from sin, 
and to rest in Thee. Do Thou render us, and our 
services, acceptable unto the Father ; and cause 
us to know that all power in heaven and earth is 
given unto Thee, by bestowing upon us the power 
of the Spirit which Thou hast received for the 
Church. 

And, Lord, have pity upon Thy Church ; endow 
her with the Holy Ghost ; and send forth the Spirit, 
to lead Thy servants into all truth. Oh, may Thy 
people again be of one mind, and one spirit, striving 



PRAYERS. 139 

together for the faith of the Gospel. We acknow- 
ledge that too many seek their own things, and not 
the things which are Jesus Christ's. Revive the 
spirit of Christian love amongst ns. Clothe Thy 
members with the garments of holiness ; and cause 
them to hold forth the word of life — to shine as 
lights in the world. 

Visit the dark places of the earth with Tliy salva- 
tion. Direct the hearts of Thy faithful servants to 
preach Thy truth, in the love of it, to those who are 
sitting in the shadow of death. Gather in the num- 
ber of Thine elect, and hasten Thy kingdom, 
Lord, when Thy will shall be done on earth, as 
now it is done in heaven. 

Accept our praises, Lord, for unnumbered 
mercies. Praise be to Thee for food, for raiment, 
for health, and strength. Praise be to Thee for 
freedom from bodily suffering. Praise be to Thee, 
that we are not with those who are delivered to 
chains of darkness, reserved unto the judgment of 
the great day. Praise be to Thee for the unspeak- 
able gift of thy Son, Jesus. 

Crown all Thy mercies, we beseech Thee, with 
the gift of the Spirit, enabling us to value and enjoy 
the Saviour. And to Thyself, with the Son and the 
Holy Ghost, be all praise ascribed by us on earth, 
as by all in heaven, for ever. 



140 PBAYEBS. 

THURSDAY EVENING. 

TjpATHER of all mercies, our reconciled Father 
•*" in Christ Jesus, teach us to pray unto Thee in 
the Spirit, and answer the prayers which Thou dost 
teach us to offer up. We come to Thee in the name 
of Jesus. For His worthiness' sake, hear us, and 
bless us. 

Thy goodness has brought us to the close of an- 
other day in safety. We are here to praise Thee 
for Thy watchful providence over us, and for all the 
blessings of this life which we have so undeservedly 
received at Thy hands. But above all, would we 
adore and magnify Thy holy name, for the provision 
Thou hast made for our spiritual wants, in Jesus, 
the Son of Thy love. Praised be Thy name, that 
Thou hast accepted the sacrifice of Jesus in our be- 
half, that Thou art reconciled to us through the 
blood of His cross, that Thine anger is turned away 
from us, and that through Him we have access with 
boldness unto Thee. Praised be Thy name, that in 
Him all fulness dwells, and that we are called to re- 
ceive out of that fulness, grace for grace. 

We come to draw largely from that spiritual 
store this night. We come to entreat Thee, as our 
heavenly Father, to pity the weakness and infirmity 
of Thy poor children upon earth, and to give us of 
Thy Holy Spirit to raise our drooping souls to the 
blessedness of spiritual enjoyment. Let not the 
world, the flesh, or the devil, have place in our 



PEA TEES. 141 

hearts. Establish Thy throne within us. Subdue 
every thought to Thy willing obedience. Work 
Thou in us, by the mighty power of the Holy Ghost. 
Give us strength to resist and oyercome all the sin- 
ful desires and lusts of our flesh. May Christ be 
formed within us the hope of glory. May the life 
which we now live be by the faith of the Son of 
God. May the Spirit mould us into the image of 
Jesus, that the mind that was in Jesus may also be 
in us. May the works of the Spirit be so manifest 
in our lives, that they who fear Thee not may be 
constrained to acknowledge, that God is in us of a 
truth. 

Lord, Thou knowest all hearts. Thou seest 
whether we all have been taught by the Spirit to 
love the Lord Jesus, and to flee to Him for refuge 
from the wrath to come. If any here present are 
yet strangers to themselves, to Jesus, and to Thee, 
oh, send forth the Spirit into their hearts. Awak- 
en them from the slumber of sin, from the death of 
sin, to walk with Thee in newness of life. Speak 
but the word, and they shall be healed, and may 
their renovated powers be wholly consecrated to 
Thee. 

And now, blessed Lord, we commend ourselves to 
Thy care and keeping this night. Thou, the Shep- 
herd of Israel, neither slumberest nor sleepest. 
Watch over us, and guard us from all harm, both 
of body and soul. Keep us in that continued enjoy- 
ment of Thy presence, and sense of Thy love, that 



142 PBAYEBS. 

we shall fear the grave as little as our bed ; that 
we may even rejoice in the prospect of the end of 
life, and of the coming day of the Redeemer's glory. 
Wean us more and more from the present evil world, 
and reveal to us more and more the glory of the 
world to come. So shall we live as strangers and 
pilgrims ; so shall we enjoy that peace which pass- 
eth all understanding ; so shall we walk with Thee 
through life ; and so shall we gladly hail the advent 
of Jesus, or wake to rise and reign with Him on the 
morning of the resurrection. 

Grant these our petitions, Heavenly Father, 
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Saviour and 
Redeemer. Amen. 



FRIDAY MORNING. 

Ti/rOST blessed Father and God, whom to know 
-^■^ is life eternal, and whom to serve is perfect 
freedom, give us the light of the knowledge of Thy 
glory in the face of Jesus Christ ; and help ns now, 
through Him, to offer to Thee a spiritual sacrifice. 
Thy mercies are new every day ; great is Thy 
faithfulness. Thou hast again preserved us in safety 
during the night, and dost allow us to worship 
Thee this morning in peace. For all the blessings 
of this life, accept our thanksgiving. Day unto day, 
and night unto night, declare Thy love and boun- 
tifulness to us. Thou fillest our hearts with joy and 
gladness — Thou protectest us as with a shield. But 



PRAYERS, 143 

our God, renew the supplies of the Holy Spirit, 
to furnish our lamps with oil for the day, that we 
may shine as lights in the world. We cannot live 
this day upon the strength of yesterday. Give us a 
fresh supply — an increased supply, that we may be 
more holy, less worldly, more devoted, less slothful, 
than before. 

We would go forth as witnesses for Jesus this day. 
We pray for strength to trample on the world and 
its toys. We pray Thee to remove the vail that 
hides Thy glory, and to allow us by the Spirit to 
taste the power of the world to come. Display be- 
fore us the unseen realities of Thine eternal kingdom, 
that we may rise above the things of time and 
sense. Lord, we grieve to think how much the 
world still prevails to draw our hearts from Thee. 
Crucify us to the world, and the world to us. May 
we be dead to its enjoyments ; may we find no pleas- 
ure in any thing on earth, except as it leads us to 
Thee, or is connected with Thy service. Make us 
truly to be citizens of a heavenly city — strangers 
here in the land of our pilgrimage. May our con- 
versation one with another be upon the glory that 
is to be brought to us at the revelation of the Lord 
Jesus Christ. May our hearts have no place for the 
trifling concerns of this passing scene. 

Grant to Thy faithful people, Lord, the enjoy- 
ment of all Thy spiritual gifts. Make the Church 
a temple of the Holy Ghost. Be Thou seen in the 
midst of her ; and may each member of Thy body 



144 PBAYEB8, 

here on earth be an epistle of the Spirit, read and 
known of all men. Oh, separate Thy Church from 
the world, and let it shine as a city set upon a hill. 
Strengthen the hands of those who labor iu Thy 
word and doctrine. May the truths of Tliy re- 
vealed word be taught them by the Spirit, that 
they may teach others. Lead us into all Thy truth 
Lord ; sanctify us by Thy truth — Thy word is truth. 

We praise Thee, our God, for the blessings of 
Thy providence and Thy grace ; for freedom from 
merited sufferings, and for the hope of eternal glory 
through Jesus. We praise Thee for a crucified, 
risen, and ascended Saviour. Bestow Thine as- 
cension gifts on us, merciful Lord Jesus Christ, 
and endue us with power from on high. Give faith 
to those who have it not ; increase that faith to 
those who possess it ; and may our lives be those 
of faith, rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God. 

Blessed Lord, Thou only knowest what trials and 
temptations may befall us this day. Keep us by 
Thine almighty power ; preserve us from tempta- 
tions, if it be Thy will ; deliver us, if tempted. En- 
able us to keep in mind the hope of our calling ; 
and neither to say nor to do what may be incon- 
sistent with our profession. We would live this day 
as though it were our last : strengthen us so to do. 
Let the power of the Spirit be felt by us, subduing 
the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and bring- 
ing every thought, and word, and action, into cap- 
tivity to Thee. 



PBATERS. 145 

Father of mercies, hear our prayer, and let our 
crying come unto Thee. Be Thou our very present 
help this day, and in every time of need, for the 
sake of Thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

FRIDAY EVENING. 

A LMIGHTY GOD, Father of all mercies, whose 
-^^ we are, and whom we ought to serve ; whom to 
know is life eternal, and whom to obey is perfect 
freedom : we adore Thy majesty, as we are allowed 
to see Thee, in the face of Jesus Christ. 

We are sinful and rebellious creatures, and Thou 
art a consuming fire for sin. But eternal praise be 
to Thy wisdom, which provided a way whereby 
Thou couldst be a just God, and yet a Saviour, — 
just in Thine abhorrence of sin — a Saviour of sin- 
ners, through the satisfaction of Thy Son. We praise 
and bless Thee for the Gospel which reveals Thy 
love to us in Jesus — that Thou hast laid help upon 
One that is mighty — that Thou hast delivered us 
from going down to the pit, because Thou hast 
found a ransom. Lord, accept us, this night, in 
Him — Thy Son — Thy beloved — the Lord our Eight- 
eousness. We take hold of His salvation ; we 
appear before Thee as His members ; we rejoice, 
that in Him we are justified from all things — that 
in Him Thou art a God of love. Oh, for the Holy 
Ghost, to shed abroad in our hearts the love of Thy 
7 



146 PBAYEB8. 

name ; to increase in us true religion ; to nourish 
us with all goodness ; and to keep us in Thy love ! 

Lord, it is pain and grief to us that we do not 
serve Thee better. Our hearts are too often charged 
with the care and occupation of earthly things. Our 
flesh cleaveth to the earth, and our affections stray 
away from Thee, whom we have charged them to 
love. Pity us, our God. Have compassion upon 
us while we are struggling against the temptations 
of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Leave us not 
in our own strength to contend with spiritual wick- 
edness in high places ; but let Thy strength be made 
perfect in our weakness. Put upon us Thy heavenly 
armor. Endue us with power from on high. Bap- 
tize us with the Holy Ghost, that we may be refined 
from the dross of earthly-mindedness, and purified to 
serve Thee in spirit and in truth. And our ever 
precious Saviour — our great High Priest — our 
Advocate with the Father, plead Thou our cause ; 
and supply all spiritual blessings, for the strength- 
ening and refreshing of our souls. All that we can 
desire is treasured up in Thee. Give forth, without 
scarceness, whatever we need, for Thy service, and 
for the enjoyment of heavenly things ; so that we 
shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the work 
of our God. 

Lord our guide, make it plain how Thy ser- 
vants should serve Thee. Leave us not in doubt, 
who, in sincerity of heart, look to Thee for direc- 
tion ; but let the pillar and the cloud go before us. 



PRAYEB8. 147 

Lord, rouse Thy slumbering servants amongst us 
and make them ready for the bridegroom's coming. 
Give us oil iu our lamps, and oil in our vessels ; and 
so wean our hearts, even from the lawful engage- 
ment of worldly things, that we may be ready at any 
moment to go forth when the cry shall be heard. 
" Behold the bridegroom cometh." 

If there be any present, Lord, who could not 
welcome the advent of Jesus, enable them so to do. 
Prepare their hearts to obey the Gospel of His 
grace. Give them faith in Jesus as a Saviour, and 
the spirit of adoption to call Thee Abba, Father. 
Oh, curse not the barren fig trees, but spare them yet 
a little longer, and supply that Spirit which will 
cause them to bring forth fruit to Thy glory. 

Let these our petitions be heard and answered 
by Thee, Lord, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 

SATURDAY MORNING. 

f^ LORD GOD, our Creator and preserver, who 
^^ hast brought us into being, and sustained us all 
our life long, though unworthy of the least of Thy 
mercies, we praise Thee for these the blessings of 
this life. But above all would we adore Thee for 
the manifestation of Thy love to a guilty world in 
ftie gift of Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ. 

We come before Thee, Lord, to receive those 
spiritual gifts which Thy love has provided and 
which are treasured up in Jesus. We hunger and 



148 P EATERS. 

thirst after righteousness ; feed us, this morning, 
with the bread of life ; satisfy our thirst from the 
stream of the Spirit ; and in the strength of this 
heavenly portion will we go forth upon our journey 
this day. 

Blessed Lord, we ask Thee thus to feed us, for no 
food for our souls is to be found upon earth. We 
travel through a wilderness ; and yet we are too 
often contented here, as though this were our place 
of rest. Lord, suffer us not so to be. May we be 
weaned from this world that our affections may be 
turned to Jesus, and set on Him, the desire of our 
souls. 

our God, we are weary by reason of sin. All 
that is in us is unclean. Our evil hearts give us 
unceasing pain. Grant us, then, the Spirit to sustain 
us in the spiritual warfare — to keep eternal things 
in constant view before our minds — to display the 
love of Jesus, and to satisfy our hearts out of His 
fulness. We would adorn the doctrine of Christ in 
all things. We would display the power of the 
Holy Ghost in subduing sin, conquering our unruly 
and unholy tempers, and producing within us the 
meekness and gentleness of Jesus.' Grant us that 
chastened temper which ever yields to the influence 
of love, and displays itself in the spirit of love, in 
all we think, or do, or say. We ask not for worldly 
things, Lord. Feed us with food convenient for 
us ; be Thou our portion, and we ask no more. 

We pray Thee, Lord, to give us a perfect knowl- 



PR A TUBS. 149 

edge of ourselves. Our hearts are deceitful, as well 
as desperately wicked. Leave us not in doubt or 
ignorance as to our real state in Thy sight. If the 
work of grace be not already begun — if any of us 
have thought too favourably of themselves — if they 
have been deceiving themselves with the name of 
Chistian, without the power of the Spirit of Christ. 
— oh, work in them, this very day, that needful 
change of heart which will make them meet for the 
inheritance of the saints in light. May we all be 
born again of the Spirit ; and may we be made full 
partakers of the divine nature. 

And enable those amongst us, Lord, whom Thy 
Spirit has effectually called, to make full proof in 
our lives of an indwelling God. Teach us to walk 
after the example of Jesus ; to live as strangers and 
pilgrims upon earth ; to deny ourselves the enjoy- 
ment of earthly things, that we may have to give to 
those who are in need. Give us tender consciences 
awake to every danger that might disturb the peace 
of our souls. Manifest Thy glory to us, that being 
dead to the glory of this world, we may live upon 
the enjoyment of the hidden life of Jesus, and the 
assured hope of eternal life through His name. May 
our hearts be with our treasure in heaven, and may 
our conversation be of heavenly things. 

Preserve us this day, we beseech Thee, from the 
evils of the world through which we pass. May we 
walk as separate from its pleasures and pursuits, 
and choose rather to suffer affliction with the people 



150 PRAYERS. 

of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a sea- 
son. Keep us mindful that this day is the prepara- 
tion of the Sabbathj so that no worldly care or busi- 
ness may be allowed to interfere with the day of 
sacred rest. Hear us, answer us, and bless us, for 
the sake of Him, through whom Thou canst receive 
us with acceptance — the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

SATURDAY EVENING. 

"ITOST blessed Lord, by whose kind providence 
^-^ we have been brought in safety through 
another week, and are now permitted to worship 
Thee, through Jesus, meet us with thy favour, and 
manifest thyself to our souls, while we now ap- 
proach Thy throne of grace. 

We come with holy awe, and with filial confi- 
dence. We speak to Thee with humility, and yet 
with boldness. Thou loves t Thy Son Jesus, and 
thou lovest to bless sinners, tlirough Him. Bless 
us, then, for through Him alone we come. But 
though thou bless us not, we will worship and 
praise Thee for Thine eternal excellence. W"e love 
to think of Thy holiness. We rejoice at Thy hatred 
of sin. Yet, Lord, we know that Thou wilt bless 
us, for thou delightest in showing mercy. 

O God, we are just the objects for Thy compas- 
sion, for we are poor and needy sinners. Work 
upon us ; subdue us to Thine obedience ; exalt us 
to Thy holiness ; get glory in us, and by us ; make 



PRAYERS. 151 

US monuments of Thy grace and of Thy redeeming 
love. Empty us completely of self ; fill us with the 
fulness of Thy Spirit. Breathe a new and holy 
life into those amongst us who may yet be dead in 
sin. Let none of us now kneeling in Thy presence 
be wanting amongst the number of those who shall 
appear with Thy Son in His glory. 

heavenly Father, we confess that we are too 
much occupied with the things of time and sense ; 
that we cannot shake off the world and its ties as 
Thy word directs and our consciences approve. 
Occupy us so with Thyself, that we shall have 
neither time nor taste for what does not directly 
tend to profit. our Father, we are very weak. 
We are easily led to follow the devices and desires 
of our own hearts. We have a crafty enemy, who 
watches for our halting, and suits his temptations 
to our peculiar weakness. Do thou interfere in our 
behalf. Strengthen us with might by Thy Spirit in 
the inner man, that Christ may dwell in our hearts 
by faith ; that we, being rooted and grounded in 
love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, 
what is the length and breadth, and depth and 
height, and to know the love of Christ which pass- 
eth knowledge, that we may be filled with all the 
fulness of God. Give us that fulness of Thyself, 
God, and we shall be satisfied. 

And grant to Thy Church at large, Lord, the 
greater enjoyment of Thy heavenly gifts. Eevive 
Thy work in power if it be Thy will. Manifest Thy- 



152 PBAYEBS. 

self in the midst of Thy people ; and make Thy 
people holy vessels to be inhabited of Thee. Give 
the Spirit abundantly to those who are to stand up 
on the morrow, to preach the Gospel of Thy grace. 
Remove their dependence on all human power, and 
teach them to trust alone to the accompanying 
power of the Holy Ghost. And do Thou bless 
their faithful testimony, and confirm it by signs fol- 
lowing. Raise up many more to testify of Jesus, 
and raise the standard of ministerial devotedness. 
Oh, prepare the hearts of the thoughtless, the care- 
less, the ungodly, and the worldly, to receive with 
meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save 
their souls, that Satan may not prevail to choke the 
seed by the weeds of worldy cares. May the 
coming Sabbath be a blessing to the soul of each of 
each of us — a day in which the Lord may be magni- 
fied amongst us. 

Bless the various institutions in our land, estab- 
lished to benefit the sick and needy, or to promote 
the knowledge of Thy holy word. Give to their 
governors a single eye to Thy glory ; and may they 
be taught to wait upon Thee for that blessing of the 
Spirit, which alone can give success to their labors. 
Take charge of us this night, Lord ; and refresh 
our weary bodies with needful rest. To thy bless- 
ing, heavenly Father, we commend ourselves in 
the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 



PETITIONS AND THANKSGIVINGS 
. FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. 



NOTE. 

The following petitions and thanksgivings are added for 
such occasions as arise in families, and are to be selected 
and used in connection with the prayers of the day. 
Those not accustomed to pray with others often feel some 
difficulty in offering such petitions, from inability to de- 
scribe the case without any awkwardness. An attempt to 
meet this difficulty is here made. The explanatory clauses 
prefixed, had better be used at the beginning of the family 
worship, before the reading of Scripture ; and the more 
simply and naturally they are spoken the better. Religion 
is to be part of our daily life, not an addition to it, or an 
interruption of it. 



PETITIONS AND THANKSGIVINGS. 



[One of our number is now sick and not with us. We must 
not forget him (or her) in our prayers.] 

/^ LORD, who send est sickness or health accord- 
^-^ ing to Thy holy will, remember the suffering 
one of our number. If it be Thy will, restore to 
health again, and make this trial a blessing to him 
(or her) and to us all, that we may not proudly 
count upon constant health, but may walk before 
Thee in lowliness and meekness all the days of our 
lives, throuo-h our blessed Redeemer, Christ Jesus. 



[One of our number is dangerously sick, and we need help 
from God, and must not fail to ask it.] 

"A/f ERCIFUL Lord, who dost not willingly afflict 
■^-^ the children of men, Thou dost lay care 
and trouble upon us, through the serious illness of 
one of our number. Lord, we pray in humble 
submission, to Thy will for life and health ; but if 
this sickness is to be unto death, Lord, give par- 
don of all his (or her) sins, and Thine own blessed 
peace. Grant unto him (or her) full trust in Him 
who hath conquered death, and risen from the grave, 

(155) 



156 PRAYERS. 

and who ever liveth at Thy right hand. Hear ns, 
Lord, in this our earnest and united petition, for 
Jesus' sake. 

[Our friends (or neiglibors) are in sorrow, and 

we ought not to forget them in our prayers.] 

r^ RACIOUS God, Thou hast sent sorrow into 
^-^ the dwelling of our friends (or neighbors), 
whose name we have just named. We beseech Thee 
for them. Give them patience under affliction. Let 
this chastening be in love, and for their profit. Give 
them the joy of Thy salvation ; and when there is 
darkness in Thy providence, may they have much 
light from the promises of Thy holy word, through 
Jesus Christ, in whom all the promises are given. 
Sanctify this sorrow to us and to all around us for 
Jesus' sake. 



[There is now one more under our roof, and we should pray 
that his (or her) coming may be a blessing to all.] 

T ORD God, in Thy providence, which orders all 
-^ our ways, and directs the steps of all that wait 
on Thee, Thou hast brought another into our dwell- 
ing, and we pray Thee that his (or her) stay may 
be the means of increased happiness to all of us. 
Make us to know what we owe to one another in 
our several places and relations, and enable us to 
act towards one another, that we may each do good, 
both temporal and spiritual, all the days of our 
lives. 



PRAYEBS. 157 

[We shall not have at our family worship again, for 

some time at least ; and we ought particularly to commend 
him (or her) to the Divine protection.] 

f^ RACIOUS Father, we desire to join together 
^^ with all our hearts in committing to Thy care 
him (or her) who now leaves our dwelling. Go 
Thou, heavenly Father, who art everywhere 
present, with him (or her), to give safety and peace 
in all the ways of life, to bestow the peace that 
comes from knowing and serving Christ, and to give 
at last an entrance with ns, and with all the family 
that is named after Jesus, into Thy heavenly king- 
dom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 



[We have to be thankful that one more is added to our family, 
and should ask the Lord to make this little one His own 
child.] 

f^ GOD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, we 
^-^ desire to thank Thee for the safety of Thy 
child in the time of weakness. We bless Thee for 
a living mother, and for the child Thou hast given. 
We pray that the life spared, and the new life now 
bestowed, may be both consecrated to Thy service 
and glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord and 
Saviour. And do Thou, for His sake, help us, and 
all parents, to train the children committed to our 
care for Thy service and glory. 



158 PRAYEBS, 

[Our congregation is now without a pastor, and we are told 
to ask the Lord of the harvest for the laborers.] 

T>LESSED Father, we thank Thee for all the 
-^-^ good we have ever received through the 
preaching of the gospel. Enable ns to profit by 
all we are permitted to hear in Thy house. Be 
pleased to send among us a good man, full of the 
Holy Ghost and of faith, who shall be a true am- 
bassador of Christ among us, and by Thy grace 
win many to the Lord, and comfort Tliy people, for 
the sake of Jesus our Lord, who is also King and 
Head over His church. 



[When we want employment, we should tell this and all our 
wants to the Lord, who knows what is best for us, and who 
has the hearts of all men in His hand.] 

A LMIGHTY Father, who givest us strength to 
•^^^ labor, and whose will it is that we should 
work with our hands the thing which is good, be 
pleased to point out to us in Thy providence what Thou 
wouldst have us to do. Give us full confidence in 
Thy care and faithfulness, and make all things to 
work together for our good, for the sake of our 
blessed Lord and Saviour. 

[It has pleased God to take away from us one of our house- 
hold, and we should not forget to ask Him to sanctify His 
providence to us all.] 



o 



LORD, Thou hast seen it good to send Thy 
messenger Death into this dwelling. Thy will 



PRATERS. 159 

be done. Keep us from murmuring or secretly re- 
pining. And be pleased, God, to make this re- 
moval a blessing to all of us wlio survive May we 
have grace so to number our days that we may ap- 
ply our hearts uiito wisdom. Cause us to hear Thy 
voice saying to us, ^'Be ye therefore also ready. '^ 
Prepare us, Lord, for the duties of life, and the 
solemn hour of death, for Christ's sake. 

FOK THE JEWS. 

O MERCIFUL Saviour, look with compassion 
upon Israel's benighted children. Take Thou 
the vail from their hearts. Graft Thou them into 
their own olive tree. Cause them to look to Thee 
whom they have pierced, and mourn. May their 
hearts be stirred to seek and find their long-expected 
Messiah ; and may the blood which they once called 
down in vengeance upon their heads be to them the 
blood of sprinkling, speaking better things than that 
of Abel. Eeveal Jesus to them by the Spirit, as 
the way, the truth, and the life. Bless those who 
labor amongst them ; and guide them by the 
Spirit to testify of Christ. 

FOR MISSIONARIES. 

GRACIOUS Lord Jesus, who didst command 
Thy disciples to go into all nations, and 
preach the Gospel to every creature ; we ask Thy 



160 PBATEBS, 

blessing upon Thy faithful servants, who have gone 
forth in Thy name, and according to Thy will, to 
publish Thy salvation in heathen lands. Grant 
them an abundant measure of Thy Holy Spirit. 
May they shine as lights in the dark places of the 
earth. May they be faithful unto death. As they 
go forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles, do Tliou 
stir up the hearts of Thy people to send them on 
their way. May they so live the life of Jesus, as 
to preach by the holiness of their lives ; that Thy 
holy name by them be not blasphemed. 



